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Systemic Approach in the Study of Rural Complexity and Disparities

Cătălina ANCUȚA, PhD , Assoc. Prof. Department of Geography Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography West University of Timișoara,

"Systems Approaches for sustainable agriculture – Part I" Brussels, 5-6 December 2016 Territorial System Geographers have had long ago the intuition of the need to study ensembles constituted of elements whose combination ensures a certain aspect of the whole. After dedicated their study to humanized region (and the genres de vie ) in the first part of the twentieth century, then to the polarized region , in the second half of the century, human geography recovers the system , as the most suitable grid to interpret the so complex reality called territory . • Definition The territorial system is a set of components which interact, determine and influence each other. The complexity of the territorial system (cf. Ianoș, 2000)

SOCIAL COMPONENTS

BUILT ECONOMIC COMPONENTS NATURAL COMPONENTS COMPONENTS

PSICHOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

"Systems Approaches for sustainable agriculture – Part I" 5-6 December 2016 in Brussels Sets of components inside the territorial system Natural system : relief, climate (temperatures, precipitations, early frost, late frost, winds regime etc. ), hidrography (density, types, quality of water), vegetation, fauna, soils (agricultural potential), natural risks .

Social system : number of inhabitants, natural dynamic, territorial mobility, density, spatial concentration, demographic structures (labour resources) Built system : housing (architecture, built density, confort of living), types of settlements and neighbourhood, territorial equipment, transport infrastructures, functional areas,.

Economic system : economic activities, no of companies, companies density, SMS density, no of jobs, output, level of efficency, economic environment, economic tradition. Psichological system : values, normes, rules, mentality, identity (resorts of behaviour), lows, preferences, expectations, attitudes, behaviour.... A22 A21 A23 E A11 2

E1

A31 A12

E3 A32

A33

Relations between elements refers both to the link between elements , as well as to all aspects of system dynamics. The dominant relationship gives the function of the system (residential, agricultural, industrial, transport, tourism, complex, ecological) The territorial systems is an open system

direct connection

input output state and structure of the system

Reverse connection Territorial systems are embedded and integrated. urban settlement region Continent rural settlement

Country urban settlement

rural region World settlement

rural settlement Systemic approach must look for and understand all these reciprocal influences. Eequivalent territorial systems in terms of scale and main function are heterogeneous in terms of performance and Urban phisiognomy. setlemment region Rural settlement Country Urban setlemment Rural region settlement Urban settlement TerritorialEvoluia System – a dynamicîntrun system sistem (cf. teritorialIanoș, 2000)

S1 (n1, R 1 ) S2 (n2, R 2 ) S3 (n3, R 3 )

?

S0 (n0, R 0 )

The territorial system could follow different trajectories, according to the decision of valorizing in different ways and/or with different intenity the resources and opportunities.

All the possible scenarios should be examined in to secure both efficient functioning of the system and its sustainability. The evolution of the territorial system

Some inputs succeed to determine the placement of the system on upper pathways, characterized by higher levels of performance with regard to valorising of resources, quality of and sustainability. The points where the paths were change are named bifurcation points (cf. The bifurcation theory of Ilia Progogine). The identification of these bifurcation points is very useful, in order to understand why they appeared, in relation with what elements of the system or outside it and to become capable to create such a favorable context in the future. Systemic Aprroach • "The systemic approach differs from reductionism , by obliging to the consideration of complexity, keeping the ensemble of relations and elements. (...) • It differs from determinism : not nature (or something else) commands; there is a set of relationships. • We find engines, brakes, shifting speed etc : but not a primary cause or a last resort. • It avoids putting excessive emphasis on genesis, which is often just another way to return to singularity (excepţionalism – n.n.) (...), by forcing to the definition of the present state of the system and of the residuals, it brings us to the situation to state equally historical relativity, and also changing and processes, laws, and operating models. " (Brunet, 1979, p. 406). THE USE OF STSTEMIC APPROACH IN THE STUDY OF RURAL SPACE

1. Territorial disparities in Romanian

2. Vulnerability and resilience in the rural space of Banat (Romania) in the postcommunist period: an analysis of the factors determining differences in local development outcomes Banat region – some highlights Banat region – some highlights Banat, a historical and cultural region, today a cross-border region, which covers territory in three countries: Romania (with app. 19,000 sq. km.), (with 9276 sq. km.), (with 284 sq. km.). Formerly included in the Habsburg Empire (1718 - 1869) and the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1869-1918), which led to its multiethnic and 8% of the country; multicultural character. 5% of the population; one of the most developed regions (cf. regional statistics indicators - turnover, investment).

1st example of the use of systemic approach: Territorial disparities in Romanian Banat (communication done at the 2nd Serbian Geographers Congress, 10 – 11 decembrie 2010, Novi Sad ) (for detailed study, see: ANCUȚA, Cătălina (2010), Territorial disparities in the Romanain Banat: ssessment, dynamic and impact on the territorial system, in Journal of Urban and Regional Analysis, vol. II, no. 2, pp.4562) Set of components Analyzed indicators Natural components physiological density (inhabitants/agricultural hectares)

Social components unemployment (SOM), percent of employees in the active population (SAL), percent of old population (over 60 years of age/total population) (BAT), the intensity of depopulation (DEP); Built components built surface (sq m per inhabitant) (SUP) number of telephones at 1000 persons (TEL). Economic components turnover/capita (AFA), SMSs density Psichological components Entrepreneurial behaviour – measured through the density of SMSs Attitude towards the education – measured through the percent age of high school graduates in the over 12 years of age population (LIC) • The choice of indicators has been done in relation with the concepts of territorial system, of development and also in relation with the statistical offer. • The evaluation of territorial disparities has started from the differenciation between: elementary disparities and global (territorial) disparities. • Elementary disparities are spatial diferentiation of the components , structure or different processes of the territorial system. They are revealed through the analysis of values of every indicator. • Teritorial (global) disparities which are differences of the performance of the subsystems of the territorial system. They are revealed through the analysis of a complex indicator. Algorithm of the analysis of territorial disparities

• analysis of individual indicators , in order to determine their "weight" in the global disparities, their convergence or divergence in the period 1992-2002 and to evaluate their role in increasing or decreasing global disparities; The indictors were analysed for two moments: • 1992 (just after the change of the political regime) and 2002 (after 10 years of economical and political transistion); • analysis of the complex indicator which will render evident the two fundamental types of areas in relation with the norm: favourized areas (above regional average) and defavourized areas (below the regional average); • The indicators were analysed in terms of dispersion: the lowest and the highest 10% of the values and the respectives values of the average reported to the regional average (M);

• dynamic mapping of the indicator (1992; 2002);

• SWOT analysis of the areas makes possible the establishing of spatial tipology, which will reveal the state of the system; (strengths and weaknesses of inside the system; opportunities and threats of outside the system;

• establishing of the regional model . Example of analysis of elementary indicators: Level of instruction: percent of high school graduates in the over 12 years of age populaion

40 35 70 30 200% M 60 25 50 213% M 20 40 15 40% M 10 30 43%M 5 20 0 10 Deta Arad Secas Birna Bocsa Resita Girnic 0 Buzias Nadrag Pischia Orsova Oravita Carasova Pietroasa Brestovat Luncavita Timisoara Lapusnicel Otelu Rosu Caransebes Sopotu Nou Sopotu Arad Baile Secas Birna Ocna Lugoj Ohaba Lunga Ohaba Bocsa Stiuca Lupac Valiug Girnic Resita Ohaba Firliug Sopotu Toplet Orsova Zorlentu Mare Zorlentu Moldova Noua Moldova Oravita Baile Herculane Zorlentu Sinnicolau Mare Sinnicolau Cheveresu Cheveresu Mare Moldova Gradinari Carasova Pietroasa Carbunari Luncavita Timisoara Cornereva Brebu Lapusnicel Rosu Otelu Caransebes

1992 2002 The analysis of complex indicator:

The complex indicator INDEZV : 50+14(AFA+SUP+LIC+TEL+DEF+SALDEPAGRBATSOM)/10

1 20 ,00

90,00 127,6% M 1 00 ,00 80,00 8 0 ,0 0 127,0% M 70,00 60,00 85,6% M 50,00 6 0 ,0 0 86,3% M 40,00 30,00 4 0 ,0 0 20,00 10,00 2 0 ,0 0

0,00 0 ,0 0 Arad Deta Secas Bata Lugoj Beba Arad Stiuca Baile Valiug Anina Ezeris Resita Buzias Lugoj Orsova Lipova Stiuca Bocsa Anina Resita Oravita Dubova Maureni Birchis Svinita Nadrag Sacalaz Orsova Lipova Carasova Oravita Timisoara Dudestii Ocna de Brebu Nou Brebu Nitchidorf Sinpetru Bolvasnita Caransebes Teremia Secusigiu Comlosu Ticvaniu Racovita Moldova Dumbravita Sopotu Nou Sopotu Cheveresu Timisoara Brebu Nou Otelu Rosu Caransebes Comlosu Mare Comlosu Ticvaniu Rusca Montana Rusca Baile Herculane Baile Sinnicolau Mare Sinnicolau

1992 2002 The statistical values if the INDEZV 2002 indicator have imposed 4 classes of values for which the following qualitative correspondence can be established:

INDEZV 2002 value Level of development in comparison with regional average < 45 very weak 45,01 50,00 weak 50,01 55,00 average 55,01 60,00 good > 60 very good •favourized areas (F), with INDEZV superior to the regional average •defavourized areas (D), with INDEZV inferior to the regional average.

F1 D1 D3 D2

D9 D4 F2 D5 D8 D7 F3 Territorial model of the Romanian Banat Region

integrated effervescent rural area area area in crisis agricultural area

profound area in rural area emergenece 2nd example of the use of the systemic approach

Vulnerability and resilience in the rural space of Banat (Romania) in the postcommunist period: an analysis of the factors determining differences in local development outcomes

Communication done at the 22nd Annual Colloquium Commission on the Sustainability of Rural Systems International Geographical Union and Sibiu, Romania 24 August - 3 September 2014

For the whole study, see: Ancuța, Cătălina etal. (2015): Evaluation of the sustainable development of rural settlements. Case study: rural settlements from Romanian Banat , in Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Science, vol. 10, pp. 67-80. Conceptual frame

system sustanability theory behavior behavior territorialterritorial Conceptual frame

• Vulnerability

• '80 (ecology): vulnerability to natural risks and hazards (Timmerman, 1981, UNDRO, 1982) • ’90: vulnerability of social groups to social,economic and political conditions (Liverman, 1989; Adger, 1999); • 2000: weak capacity of a social-ecological system to respond to disturbances which affect its integrity; • extent to which a SE system can be affected by the impact of a disruptive element / pressure factor; • vulnerability of communities, vulnearbily of regions. Conceptual frame

• Resilience

• R of ecological systems: the ability of the system to maintain its structure and patterns of behaviour in the face of disturbance (Holling, 1986, cf. Skerratt, 2013);

• R of social-ecological systems: the ability of communities to withstand external shocks (Adger 2000). Conceptual frame

• reactive resilience ( adapt, modify their characteristics or behaviour) (Maguire and Cartwright, 2008, idem);

• pro-active resilience (anticipate changes; influence changes , sustain and renew the commuity, develop new trajectories) (Magis, 2010,ibidem). - +

vulnerability reactive resilience proactive resilience •environment al capital •economic capital resilience •social capital

transition 1990 contigencies land law improvments of land law regulations of institutional land market approach of rural development

pre- integratio n funds european funds Objectives of the study

• establishing a typology of rural communes according to their behavior after 1989, in a context of transition from communist regime to democracy and open market;

• identifying the specific factors responsible for the trajectory of each category of rural communes. Methodology

• the approach of resilience/vulnerability is possible when evaluating the changes occured in the system (Wilson, 2012), i.e of the level of performance of the system ;

factors of statistical and study cases for vulnerabiliy cartographic analysys typology of each of established and of indicators rural space categories resilience

field trip: •economical direct observation; indicators; questionnaires and •social indicators; interviews •ind. of quality of life structured according & effectiveness of to the research local authorities. frame. TURNOVER PER CAPITA DUMBRAVITA PARTA PIETROASA MOSNITA NOUA CARPINIS SANNICOLAU MARE BREBU NOU MANASTIUR JEBEL LIEBLING SVINITA SICHEVITA EFTIMIE MURGU VERMES Mean: 7231 Eur per capita GIRNIC Min.: 76.44 Eur per capita LAPUSNICEL Max.: 239 610 Eur per capita ZORLENTU MARE MARGA BARA SINMIHAIU ROMAN OHABA LUNGA SANPETRU MARE 0.00 50000.00 100000.00 150000.00 200000.00 250000.00 300000.00 NUMBER OF ENTREPRISES PER 1000 INHABITANTS

DUMBRAVITA SAG SACALAZ GIARMATA ORTISOARA PARTA PERIAM PISCHIA TOPOLOVATU MARE SAGU BOZOVICI ZADARENI CHEVERESU MARE SOPOTU NOU DALBOSET BARNA BUCOSNITA Mean: 19,6 entr./1000 loc. LAPUSNICEL CURTEA Min.: 0,7 entr./1000 loc. Max.: 411,9 entr./1000 loc. TICVANIU MARE NITCHIDORF LUPAC PESAC MANASTIUR COPACELE SANPETRU MARE SATCHINEZ 0.0 100.0 200.0 300.0 400.0 500.0 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

GIROC MOSNITA NOUA SICHEVITA SINMIHAIU ROMAN PERIAM NADRAG BEBA VECHE DUDESTII VECHI PARTA SLATINA -TIMIS PISCHIA DOGNECEA DUBOVA PESAC Mean: 237 emploees LAPUSNICEL Min.: 2 employees VARADIA NAIDAS Max.: 4972 employees BREBU NOU LUPAC OHABA LUNGA CURTEA VERMES USUSAU COPACELE MEHADICA 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

MOSNITA NOUA SARAVALE VRANI BOZOVICI ESELNITA ZABRANI MAURENI DOGNECEA VALIUG SICHEVITA FELNAC BARA ZORLENTU MARE VARIAS SAG Mean.: 6,4 % PARTA Min.: 1% NITCHIDORF Max.: 24% MARGA GIERA BUCOVAT EZERIS CIUDANOVITA LUNCAVITA BREBU CORNEA 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 SHARE OF POPULATION OVER 65 YEARS

ZORLENTU MARE FIRLIUG NAIDAS BATA BOGDA CICLOVA ROMANA LAPUSNICU MARE BERLISTE VALCANI FIRDEA VICTOR VLAD DELAMARINA SISTAROVAT OHABA LUNGA DUBOVA GATAIA BEBA VECHE PERIAM ESELNITA CENEI Mean: 18,3% Min.: 9% SANPETRU MARE GOTTLOB Max.: 41% SINMIHAIU ROMAN FANTINELE ANINA DUMBRAVITA BECICHERECU MIC GIARMATA 0 10 20 30 40 50 RATIO BETWEEN POPULATION IN 2012 AND 1990

DUMBRAVITA GIARMATA MOSNITA NOUA SANANDREI STIUCA ZABRANI TICVANIU MARE ESELNITA COSTEIU LENAUHEIM GOTTLOB RACOVITA RUSCA MONTANA ORAVITA Mean: 0,91 TOPOLOVATU MARE SLATINA-TIMIS Min.: 0,35 ARMENIS Max.: 2 BALINT NADRAG COPACELE SVINITA GIRNIC CARBUNARI TOMESTI VALIUG BREBU NOU 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 EVOLUTION OF WATER SUPPLY NETWORK LENGTH ZABRANI 19902012 (%) SAGU BELINT SANPETRU MARE VOITEG MANASTIUR TOPLET DAROVA JEBEL VARIAS EFTIMIE MURGU GIRNIC FANTANELE OTELU ROSU DOMASNEA VRANI Mean: 280,54% SOPOTU NOU Min.: 0% SECAS Max.: 900% RACASDIA OCNA DE FIER MAURENI IABLANITA DALBOSET CONSTANTIN DAICOVICIU BREBU BERLISTE BARA 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 Typology of rural areas •integrated rural areas : r demographic growth – e counter urbanization, s jobs in diverse economical i sectors; l i intermediary rural areas: e predominance of the n agriculture; involution of c the population; e

•deep rual space : big share of aged v population; u defficient accecibility to l complex urban poles. e r •rural space in difficulty: a share of aged population b over 40%; i big unemployment rate; l destructuration of social i services; t difficult accesibility. y Study cases – identifying the drivers of resilience and or vulnerability

• approaching the resilience in terms of: • function; • structure; • identity; • feed-backs (Walker and Salt, 2006, cf. Wilson, 2012). Study case 1 – rural space in difficulty • Cralovăț

233 inhabitants in 1992,103 inhabitants in 2014; 68% of the population is over 65 years. Study case 1 – rural space in difficulty • Cralovăț

before 1989 after 1989 function active population occupied in industry subsistance agriculture in Timișoara aged population occupied in Cap and familial agriculture structure rural habitat and agricultural landscape traditional houses traditional houses 26% non occupied houses 15% week-end houses neglected orchards identity church traditional religious celebration feedbacks 2 local entrepreneurs in (at individual or agriculture local level) Cralovăț - rural space in difficultiy Study case 2 – profound rural space • Iablanița

location: 25 km from Băile Herculane, 60 km from Caransebes and 110 km – from Reșița; 76% hills; 13% mountains; 11% river terraces; 52% forests; 44% agricultural surfaces (43% meadows; 35% pastures; 16% arable);

aged population: 26% Study case 2 – profound rural space • Iablanița

before 1989 after 1989 function men worked in minig 90 % subsistance agriculture modest diversification ( processing of the wood, commerce) structure rural traditional habitat (with modest rate of renovation specific characteristics, related to XVIIIth century) identity religion (week role) stronger role of traditions related to religious festivities feedbaks few projects for the improvement of roads Iablanița Study case 3 – intermediary rural space • Carașova

location: , in a carstic depression, in the proximity of county capital and of a national parc (mountain area); the non built area contain forests (50% of the surface), 25% pastures and 25% meadows. total population decresed with 16%; modest positive net migration (beetw. 9 – 20 pers./year; aged population: 16%; Study case 3 – intermediary rural space • Carașova before 1989 after 1989 function active population occupied in concentration of the active population industry in Reșița on agriculture and forest activities aged population occupied in partial modernisation of agricultural agriculture (non CAP) production other activities related to the forest diversification of economical sectors (transport, tourism, commerce) structure rural traditional habitat (permanent rehabilitation of houses and seasonal) 10% new houses (people from Reșița) specific organization of the modernisaton of agricultural land identity 1 h per week of Serbian langauge bilingv highschool class political relations with Croatia feedbaks improvement of the quality of life (water supply network) rehabilitation of public buildings valorisation of ethnic identity entrepreneurial initiatives Carasova Study case 4 – integrated rural space • Giroc

3 km south from the regional pole; near the E 70 road (3 km), the river Timiș and the forest; 4170 inhabitants in 1990, 7484 inhabitants in 2012; the number of houses doubled (from 1607, in 1990, to 3299, in 2012). Study case 5 – integrated rural space • Giroc function residential and agricultural (CAP and residential, tertiary sector (commerce familial) super markets, services for enterprises, transport services), industry (metal construction, paints and varnishes, meat processing structure rural habitat (non modernized) + 100% new buildings densification, modernization of public space and buildings identity few local festivities folk dance ensemble choral, church choir, monuments local festivities at large scale feedbacks change of the destination of the land very active local authorities (numerous projects with European, national and private money)

Conclusions :

• great inertia of rural communities in terms of building their capacity of auto-organization; • important role of the most important urban poles (with complex functinal profile) and of the major axes in enhancing pozitive trajectories; • important impact of the withdral of heavy industry; • important impact of the defficient accesibility (rugosity of the space). Conclusions : Factors of vulnerability and of resilience vulnerability resilience • initial great dependence of a • rent location – favorable single external sector; location – in the proximity of important urban poles and • weak social capital; important axes);

•lack of economic capital; • good social capital;

• distance from the urban poles •active local authorities; and from main axes – difficult accessibility. •delocalisation of urban activities;

•counterurbanization. Thank you for your attention.

© Assoc. Prof. PhD Cătălina ANCUȚA

[email protected]

Department of Geography Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography West University of Timișoara