The role of environmental commons in rural development: A spatial econometric analysis

The main objective of the study is to analyze the role of environmental commons in rural development. The primary methodology of the study is based on quantitative methods. Within the scope of the quantitative method, data from the year 2023 were used. The research question of the study was formulated as follows: To what extent and in which direction do the seven independent variables representing environmental commons affect rural development index values? First, rural development index values for rural provinces were constructed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Then, the calculated rural development index values were included in the Spatial Econometric model as the dependent variable, while seven variables considered to be related to environmental commons were included as independent variables. As a result of the tests, spatial dependence was detected, and the Spatial Durbin Error Model (SDEM) was established. The results of the model revealed that two variables were statistically significant (number of wind power plants and number of decisions stating that environmental impact assessment reports are not required), and one variable was marginally significant (amount of PM10). Although the other variables (number of animals, amount of pasture and forest areas) were not statistically significant, they were found to indicate spatial relationships that should be considered theoretically and contextually. In addition, a comprehensive economic, social, and political theoretical framework was developed in order to understand the significance of environmental commons.