Regional Development from Sociological Point of View
We consider a possibility to use social and cultural resources as basis for creating favourable conditions for regional economic growth. We pay attention to the fact that most sociological approaches to regional development are based on studying the combination of characteristics (natural, human and cultural) and their role in forming its peculiar and/or distinctive features that can become the centre of sustainable economic activity. Social values are characterized by multifunctionality representing a whole range of non-market as well as market goods and services such as environmental protection, landscape design, maintaining bio diversity and habitat protection, ecosystem services, taking care of cultural heritage, providing employment and securing necessary living standards, solving food security problems.