Community Development in Remote Places

Ways of Life, Technology, and Social Capital

Image courtesy of pepecantone at Pixabay

Our collaboration with The Informed Perspective is one of the productive pleasures of being active on Substack. Penny and Jennie have that ability to very politely ask you the killer question that takes you to places you haven’t thought about. Or gently comment on your work in a way that causes pause for reflection and generate the “what’s next?”.

That’s the origin of this article. I’d written a piece entitled Earning a Living in Remote Places, and my focus had slightly moved on to the next project, when the challenge to think about the community building dimension got me starting to think afresh.

I have a fascination with remoteness, and an admiration for people who live in remote places. Remote communities, with challenges of geographic isolation, sparse populations, and limited access to resources, face unique challenges and opportunities. And yet these are often the places that foster sustainable development, both through design and through necessity.

These areas, ranging from rural villages to isolated towns, have distinct ways of life shaped by their environment, culture, and history. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in moving to remote places, driven by desires for simplicity, affordability, and connection to nature.

Technology has played a pivotal role in enabling this shift, bridging the gap between isolation and connectivity. Community development in these contexts focuses on empowering residents, building social capital, and fostering resilience.

In this article I analyze community development in remote places, exploring ways of life, migration trends, the role of technology, and case studies of initiatives that promote social capital. I end with practical checklist for community development in remote areas is also provided which I hope is useful to readers.

Remote Ways of Life

First of all, I’d like to take a quick look at how people live and support themselves.

Remote communities often rely on traditional livelihoods such as agriculture, pastoralism, or small-scale industries, deeply tied to local ecosystems. There are many examples of this, including in arid regions of Kenya, pastoralism has historically sustained communities, though shrinking pasturelands pose challenges (Trust for Public Land, 2024).

Social structures in these areas are typically tight-knit, with strong interpersonal relationships and communal decision-making. However, remoteness can lead to marginalization, marked by limited access to infrastructure, education, and healthcare, contributing to issues like poverty and out-migration (Rodriguez-Pose & von Berlepsch, 2014).

Despite these challenges, remote living offers unique benefits, including lower living costs, a slower pace of life, and a strong sense of community. These factors attract individuals seeking alternatives to urban environments, particularly in the wake of global shifts like the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the feasibility of remote work and living (Dutta & Fischer, 2021).

The world is changing, and for many crowded cities are unappealing.

The Desire to Move to Remote Places

Communications technology is opening up opportunities for remote living for increasing numbers of people. Starlink, the satellite-based Internet provider has been transformational in this regard, although not alone. The appeal of remote areas has grown due to several factors:

• Affordability and Space: Remote areas often offer lower housing costs and larger living spaces compared to urban centers, attracting young families and retirees.

• Connection to Nature: Many are drawn to the natural beauty and tranquility of remote settings, seeking respite from urban congestion (Woronkowicz, 2016).

• Post-Pandemic Shifts: The normalization of remote work has enabled professionals to relocate to rural areas without sacrificing employment opportunities (Dhal, 2020).

• Sustainability and Simplicity: A desire for sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyles drives some to remote areas where they can engage in farming or off-grid living.

However, this migration can strain local resources and lead to tensions, such as gentrification, as newcomers may inadvertently drive up costs or disrupt local cultures (Woronkowicz, 2016).

Technology as an Enabler

As we’ve said, technology has transformed the feasibility of living and developing communities in remote areas. Key technological advancements include:

• Internet Connectivity: High-speed internet, facilitated by initiatives like India’s Digital India Program, enables remote work, education, and access to services. In Odisha, India, 400 respondents reported increased digital adoption due to improved connectivity, enhancing economic opportunities (Dhal, 2020).

• Telecenters and E-Governance: Rural telecentres provide access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), supporting e-democracy and service delivery (Saxena et al., 2019).

• Renewable Energy: Solar and wind energy solutions enable off-grid living, reducing reliance on centralized infrastructure (Dixit et al., 2022).

• Smart Agriculture: Technologies like precision farming and mobile apps for market access empower rural farmers, as seen in China’s Rural Revitalization strategy (Wang et al., 2023).

These advancements bridge the digital divide, making remote living more viable and fostering economic and social inclusion. However, challenges like digital literacy and infrastructure costs remain barriers (Acilar & Sæbø, 2023).

Community Development in Remote Areas

Community development in remote places emphasizes participatory, asset-based approaches that leverage local strengths to address challenges. Key principles include:

• Empowerment: Enabling communities to make decisions and control resources (Scottish Community Development Center, n.d.).

• Social Capital: Building networks, trust, and norms that facilitate collective action (Putnam, 1995).

• Inclusivity: Ensuring marginalized groups, such as women and Indigenous populations, are included in decision-making (Nel, 2018).

• Sustainability: Aligning initiatives with environmental and cultural preservation (DoH, 2018a).

Social capital is critical, as it promotes coordination, communication, and resilience. High social capital enables communities to address challenges collectively, as seen in post-disaster recovery efforts following events like Hurricane Katrina (Aldrich & Meyer, 2014).

Community Development Initiatives

1. Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), Pakistan

Context: Operating in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, AKRSP focuses on self-controlled development through social, economic, and human capital development.

Initiative: Since 1982, AKRSP has empowered communities through participatory programs, including microfinance, agricultural training, and infrastructure projects like irrigation systems. It mobilizes local labor and resources to foster self-reliance.

Impact: AKRSP has improved livelihoods by enhancing agricultural productivity and income generation. It has built social capital by forming village organizations that facilitate collective decision-making.

Social Capital Elements: Trust-building through community-led governance and inclusive participation of women and youth (Pakistan Today, 2024).

2. Community Research and Engagement Network (COREN), Northwest England

Context: Nine disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Northwest England faced health and social inequalities.

Initiative: The COREN model, launched to enhance collective capabilities, shifted local power dynamics to value residents’ experiential knowledge equally with professionals. It supported alliances within and beyond communities to address systemic inequalities.

Impact: Qualitative findings showed increased perceived influence, social connections, and community pride, though quantitative data did not reflect significant economic or environmental changes. The initiative highlighted the importance of external alliances with movements like the People’s Health Movement.

Social Capital Elements: Strengthened social networks and trust through collaborative governance and resident empowerment (Community Development Journal, 2024).

3. Digital India Program, Odisha, India

Context: Rural areas in Odisha face digital and economic marginalization.

Initiative: The Digital India Program promotes digital inclusion through infrastructure like telecentres and training programs, particularly targeting women. A study of 400 respondents in Kalahandi District showed high education levels and digital adoption among young populations.

Impact: Increased access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, with notable progress in gender-inclusive digital literacy. Women’s empowerment initiatives have narrowed the technology gender gap.

Social Capital Elements: Enhanced community trust and participation through digital access and inclusive training (Dhal, 2020).

Challenges in Community Development

• Resource Constraints: Limited funding and infrastructure hinder scalability (Rodriguez-Pose & von Berlepsch, 2014).

• Cultural Barriers: External interventions may clash with local traditions, reducing effectiveness (Bendt et al., 2013).

• Digital Divide: Uneven access to technology and low digital literacy can exclude marginalized groups (Acilar & Sæbø, 2023).

• Gentrification Risks: Influx of newcomers can disrupt social cohesion and increase costs (Woronkowicz, 2016).

Our Checklist

To ensure effective community development in remote places, consider the following checklist:

1. Assess Community Assets: Identify local resources, including human, social, and environmental capital, using tools like surveys or focus groups (Parada et al., 2012).

2. Engage Stakeholders: Involve residents, local leaders, and external partners in planning to ensure inclusivity and trust (Nel, 2018).

3. Leverage Technology: Prioritize affordable, scalable solutions like telecenters or mobile apps to enhance connectivity and access (Saxena et al., 2019).

4. Build Social Capital: Foster networks and trust through community-led governance and participatory programs (Putnam, 1995).

5. Address Inequalities: Target marginalized groups, such as women or Indigenous populations, to ensure equitable benefits (Dhal, 2020).

6. Monitor and Evaluate: Use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess impacts and adapt strategies (Community Development Journal, 2024).

7. Promote Sustainability: Align initiatives with environmental and cultural preservation to ensure long-term viability (DoH, 2018a).

8. Mitigate Gentrification: Develop policies to protect local residents from displacement due to newcomer influx (Woronkowicz, 2016).

Conclusion

So what can we conclude? Well, community development in remote places requires a nuanced approach that respects local ways of life while leveraging technology to bridge isolation. The growing desire to move to remote areas, driven by affordability and lifestyle preferences, underscores the need for sustainable development that fosters social capital.

Case studies like AKRSP, COREN, and the Digital India Program demonstrate the power of participatory, inclusive initiatives in building resilient communities. Hopefully they provide some inspiration.

By following a structured checklist, stakeholders can address challenges and create vibrant, equitable remote communities. As technology continues to evolve, its integration with community-driven efforts will be crucial for sustainable development in remote areas.

References

Acilar, A., & Sæbø, Ø. (2023). Digital divide and its current state. In 6G: Sustainable Development for Rural and Remote Communities (pp. 1–15). Springer Nature Singapore.

Aldrich, D. P., & Meyer, M. A. (2014). Social capital and community resilience. American Behavioral Scientist, 59(2), 254–269.

Bendt, P., Barthel, S., & Colding, J. (2013). Civic greening and environmental learning in public-access community gardens in Berlin. Landscape and Urban Planning, 109(1), 18–30.

Community Development Journal. (2024). Strengthening community empowerment initiatives as a route to greater equity: An English case study. Community Development Journal.

Dhal, S. (2020). Situating Digital India Mission in pursuit of good governance: A study of electronic governance initiatives in the Indian province of Odisha. Indian Journal of Public Administration, 66(1), 110–126.

Dixit, S., Bhatia, V., Khanganba, S. P., & Agrawal, A. (2022). Digital divide and its current state. In 6G: Sustainable Development for Rural and Remote Communities (pp. 1–15). Springer Nature Singapore.

DoH. (2018a). Community development approaches in social work practice. Department of Health, Northern Ireland.

Dutta, A., & Fischer, H. W. (2021). The local governance of COVID-19: Disease prevention and social security in rural India. World Development, 138, 105234.

Nel, H. (2018). Community development approaches in social work practice. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 54(3), 287–301.

Pakistan Today. (2024). Community-driven development. Pakistan Today.

Parada, H., Barnoff, L., & Coleman, B. (2012). Community development: A critical approach. Venture Press.

Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capital. Journal of Democracy, 6(1), 65–78.

Rodriguez-Pose, A., & von Berlepsch, V. (2014). Social capital and individual happiness in Europe. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(2), 357–386.

Saxena, N. C., et al. (2019). E-governance in India: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 11(2), 15–25.

Scottish Community Development Centre. (n.d.). Principles of community development. Retrieved from [SCDC website].

Trust for Public Land. (2024). The power of parks to strengthen community. Trust for Public Land.

Wang, Y., et al. (2023). Digital economy and rural human capital in urban-rural integration. Journal of Rural Studies, 98, 123–134.

Woronkowicz, J. (2016). Place-making through open-air performance in neighborhoods. Journal of Urban Affairs, 38(4), 567–582.

Footnotes

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My latest book, Delivering Social Value in Urban Development, a collected series of essays, is published through Kindle Direct Publishing and available on most Amazon portals.

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