Rural Development and Transformation in Germany since the 1950s and Lessons for China

摘要

Based on a dynamic, regional and cultural landscape analysis, this paper summarizes the rural developmental process and characteristics in Germany since the 1950s, concerning an increase of the labor productivity and landscape change followed by a decrease of the agricultural and farm scale. The four development trends for German rural areas in the future include: high-tech agriculture, renewable energy (bio-energy), rural service industry, eco- and natural parks. On the basis of the experiences of Germany and recent rural development processes of China, this paper discusses the urban-rural integrative development path of China as follows: formulating and improving the rural development policy, integrative planning framework and action plan; encouraging participation of the residents in rural planning; urban-rural integration including rural urbanization, modernization of infrastructure and public facilities, preserving the rural spatial structure and traditional scenes of others with cultural and historical value.