Village renewal as an instrument of rural development: evidence from Weyarn, Germany

Rural migrants are usually accused of contributing to urban poverty. This is different in Germany, where urban migrants are often accused of contributing to difficulties in rural living. These difficulties range from distortions in cultural lifestyle to loss of rural identity to unrealistic economic lifestyles. In an effort to help rural people respond to these challenges, the German government initiated a village renewal policy that allows rural communities decide on their future to rurally improve their living conditions. The objective of this study is to present the role village renewal plays as an instrument of rural development in Germany. It provides overview on the meaning and aims of village renewal, as well as its history in Germany. Using data from the local level in Germany, the research investigates how rural development can take place through the application of this instrument. Focusing on Weyarn Municipality, a rural area of upper Bavaria in southern Germany, the research specifically reveals how the community stemmed its emerging urbanization through the implementation of village renewal and regained its rural identity. Since many of the literatures on the subject are in German, this study contributes to the list of works on the subject in English.