"In order to be able to develop a region, city or village to its full potential, a clear course and policy are needed. This calls for insight into problems, strengths, challenges and solutions in all aspects of society. Fostering innovation, SME development and entrepreneurship and investment promotion are key priorities for regional development and the recently established regional development agencies.
Moreover, the rapid regional growth and urbanisation require proper spatial planning policies, infrastructure support and social policies in order to accomodate this growth in a balanced and sustainable manner. In order to grasp the opportunities and overcome the challenges related to regional and urban development, sound policy preparation is required. Ecorys offers a range of experience and services for policy makers and institutions in these fields. Rural development has traditionally centered on the exploitation of land-intensive natural resources such as agriculture and forestry. However, changes in global production networks and increased urbanization have changed the character of rural areas. Increasingly tourism, niche manufacturers, and recreation have replaced resource extraction and agriculture as dominant economic drivers.[2] The need for rural communities to approach development from a wider perspective has created more focus on a broad range of development goals rather than merely creating incentive for agricultural or resource based businesses.
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Bhavya Anand serves as the Senior Director of Health System. She developed and teaches a Healthcare Sustainability curriculum for higher education, piloted as an adjunct faculty member at Deemed University. She is also CEO of communication journal, a foundation dedicated to developing young high potential leaders.