Summary:

The book concentrates on the issue of parametrical ordering and the level
of development with regard to the rural communes, at a regional scale. The aim of
the work is to present the method, according to which the process of determining
the degree of parametrical ordering of rural communes has been realised. Additionally,
the author has described the procedure of grouping rural communes into
aggregated areas, as well as the method of mapping out the complex delimitation
areas of different degrees. The practical dimension of the research focuses on the
evaluation of the degree of ordering and the level of development of rural communes
in the spirit of integrated order. The research area covered 127 rural communes
of the Małopolska Province, assuming their administrative status on January
1st 2006. The survey conducted confirmed the correctness of the assumed
research hypothesis, presuming that the parametrical ordering of rural communes
influences their socio-economic level of development and, consequently, affects the
living standard of local communities, constituting at the same time an integral
element of regional development. The parameters aggregation pace method
(MKAP) presented in this book is a new and original method serving the evaluation
of parametrical ordering of rural communes and enabling the description of
their general and multi-aspect status. The proposed methodological attitude is also
of prospective character, making possible the identification of comparative advantages
and the estimation of attractiveness of the rural communes on various
planes, indicating simultaneously their opportunities for sustainable development.