Introduction

The introductory chapter of this book revisits the various challenges that small towns and rural communities are currently facing when it comes to dealing with a multitude of global threats. Doing so, the chapter points to four observations or admissions the authors believe are shared by most regional scientists, policymakers and planners dedicated to the sustainability of rural communities. In the second section, the chapter reminds the main objectives of the books, conceived as a way to accompany practitioners, policymakers and scholars concerned with rural development in a time of turbulence. The third section introduces the book&s;s structure and the remaining 10 chapters, providing readers with guidance on how to use the book. The chapter closes by announcing the 3V roadmaps that will be presented further in this book. It gives general guidance on transitioning from data to policy and community dialogue in rural development.