What really determines what is rural? Political-administrative boundaries? The population? The economic activity of its population?

The territorial approach that has marked Rimisp’s work has been key to understanding and highlighting the territorial dynamics that favor the well-being of people living in rural areas. We believe that it is necessary to leave aside the obsolete vision of thinking of the rural as isolated and that is why we speak of rural-urban linkages, that growing interconnection between urban and rural areas through flows of people, goods, services, money and environmental services.

Evidence from our research shows how these rural-urban linkages can contribute to the inclusive growth of rural areas, not only in terms of economic growth, but also in terms of reducing inequality gaps in the territories.

We work to understand the potential of these linkages for the development of rural territories and their inhabitants, as well as small and intermediate cities. We also seek to promote public policies that allow us to take advantage of this potential or generate connections when they do not exist, through greater investment in infrastructure, better channels of access to labor markets, and goods and services.