OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASSESSING THE TERRITORIAL POTENTIAL OF RURAL AREAS THROUGH THE LENS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY

This article addresses the need for implementing regional development policies in rural areas. The focus is on the need for targeted support in implementing new types of policies that can bring rural areas to the forefront as stable development zones and attract new populations as well as make sense of local human capital development. The presentation shows the problems of regionalism in Europe, which is most serious and visible in rural areas, presenting the author's views on modeling the spatial organization of rural life, quality of life and spatial planning problems. Given the focus on rural areas, relevant conclusions and recommendations are drawn on the need to implement innovative policies in line with the penetration of information technology and the promotion of technological renewal in the regional economy and local business development.