TY - GEN N2 - The concept of spatial development is inseparable from functional changes. The concept of development functions is understood both as an outcome of the ideology of social change and a tool for research. In spatial analyses, including studies of rural space, it is most often used in the context of examining development stages. The purpose of this article is to present the most important concepts in assessing development and planning of rural areas in the context of social modernisation. Overview of different approaches showed that most of them implemented the premises of functional methodology. Functionalism in spatial studies (mainly economic geography and spatial management) was the most important trend in the identification and interpretation of social and economic phenomena. Reducing socio-economic reality mainly to the realm of spatial development and the adoption of functional research methods has always emphasized the structural characteristics that stressed systemic coherence (harmony and spatial organisation). On the other hand, the concepts of rural areas development do not emphasize internal contradictions that cause social conflicts and tensions. L1 - http://www.rcin.org.pl/igipz/Content/55718/PDF/WA51_75974_r2015-t37_SOW-Wojcik.pdf M3 - Text J2 - Studia Obszarów Wiejskich, t. 37 PY - 2015 EP - 50 KW - rural space KW - concepts KW - functionalism KW - planning KW - Poland A1 - Wójcik, Marcin PB - IGiPZ PAN PB - PTG VL - 37 CY - Warszawa SP - 37 T1 - Koncepcje badań funkcjonalnych wsi i ich związek z planowaniem rozwoju = Concepts of rural functional studies and their relation to development planning UR - http://www.rcin.org.pl/igipz/dlibra/publication/edition/55718 ER -