Smart Villages in the Eu and Beyond

Written by leading academics and practitioners in the field, Smart Villages in the EU and Beyond offers a detailed insight into issues and developments that shape the debate on smart villages, together with concepts, developments and policymaking initiatives including the EU Action for Smart Villages. This book derives from the realization that the implications of the increasing depopulation of rural areas across the EU is a pending disaster. This edited collection establishes a framework for action today, which will lead to sustainable revitalization of rural areas tomorrow. Using country-specific case studies, the chapters examine how integrated and ICT-conscious strategies and policy actions focused on wellbeing, sustainability and solidarity could provide a long-term solution in the revitalization of villages across the EU and elsewhere. Best practices pertinent to precision farming, energy diversification, tourism, entrepreneurship are discussed in detail. As an in-depth exploration of the Smart Village on a multinational scale, this book will serve as an indispensable resource for students, researchers and policy leaders in the fields of politics, strategic management and urban and rural studies.

Anna Visvizi , Ph.D. is Associate Professor, Deree College - The American College of Greece, and Visiting Researcher at Effat University, Saudi Arabia. Her expertise covers issues relevant to the intersection of politics, economics and ICT. Miltiadis D. Lytras , Ph.D. is Research Professor at Deree College - The American College of Greece and Visiting Researcher at Effat University, Saudi Arabia. His expertise covers cognitive computing, information systems and technology enabled innovation. György Mudri is agricultural engineer, specialising in biotechnology. He is Advisor to Mr Tibor Szanyi, Member of the European Parliament. His expertise covers rural networking, LEADER, the rural development legislation and the EU smart villages concept.