ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we discuss the fundamental issues of urban-rural interconnections in terms of new trends in regional development with a focus on the development of rural regions. An emphasis is placed primarily on urban-rural ties and links across levels of regional and municipal development. Nevertheless, the issue of territorial links across cities and rural areas is being conceived more broadly. These include, in particular, the context of geographical diversity and the specificities of the development of different types of rural space, rural services and other local issues such as regional products and agrotourism. The above points are assessed in the context of a balanced rural development, regional capabilities and a differentiated approach to supporting rural regions. Therefore, the chapter will provide a general overview of key territorial urban-rural trends outside the EU (including in Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America). The chapter also considers the links of EU regional policy and the specifics of rural development in selected EU member states.
