Conceptualizing of Rural Settlements Development

The problem of territorial development is quite relevant for countries that cause a wide range of development issues: a low level of quality of life, underdeveloped infrastructure, migration of the working-age population to urban areas, etc. countryside. Certain difficulties in the development of rural areas are currently characteristic of Kazakhstan, 41 percent of whose population lives in rural areas. In recent years, there has been a stable trend of the outflow of the rural population, mainly young people, to the cities. The main reason for this phenomenon is dissatisfaction with the living conditions in the countryside. Rural areas of the country are characterized by low incomes of the population, underdeveloped transport infrastructure, lack of many utilities, insufficient provision of social services (health, education, culture).This situation cannot but worry the country’s leadership, since it has a multi-vector impact on the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan: food self-sufficiency of the country’s regions, the export potential of the agricultural sector, and the balanced structure of the economy. In this connection, there is a need for a detailed solution of problems and the search for their ways, methods and mechanisms for achieving goals. According to the authors of the article, the proposed author’s model can become a basis for optimal development of the country. The authors analyzed the existing definitions of “development”, “rural areas”, “development of rural areas”, gave their own formulation of the definition of the development of rural areas. Based on the study of foreign experience, important aspects of rural development policy have been identified, the authors have proposed mechanisms by which rural development can be implemented. The article focuses on the importance of interaction between all stakeholders interested in the development of rural areas. The purpose of this article is to develop the author’s conceptual model for the development of rural areas based on a theoretical review of existing definitions. The results of the research - the author’s definition and the proposed conceptual model are of interest both for scientific research in this area and for practical programs for rural development.