Rurality index: new methodological approach to regional develop-ment in OTALEX C

Abstract

Rurality index is one of the most used indicators to territorial characterization in the world. The most common formulation of this index is based in the total population of a region (EUROSTAT). However the application to local and regional development doesn’t fits the needs of detail information. So as result of an extensive work held by a group of experts of the crossborder regions of Alentejo and Centro (Portu-gal) and Extremadura (Spain), that have been for more than 16 years of cooperation in Territory and GIS applications. From this cooperation it was built the first crossborder Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) (www.ideotalex.eu), and the SIO (Indicator system of OTALEX C). One of the indicators developed to fits the needs of the regions was the rurality index. This index is formulated including not only the total popu-lation, but also, population density, level of education, population by activity sectors, level of health, and services. As results it’s presented the comparative analysis of the rurality index maps derived from the different methodologies.