Environmental Amenities and Regional Economic Development

In the era of globalization, localities are in competition with each other to attract and develop economic activities. Environmental amenities are considered as the only source ofcomparative advantage for isolated rural areas. Amenities continue to play an important role in defining structure and viability of rural communities. Moreover, the valorisation ofamenities is often the best way for their conservation. Historically, natural resources have provided location-specific advantages for communities at various stages of their development. Agriculture and rural areas are viewed note only as producers of agricultural commodities butalso as producers of environmental and social services. In this paper we wish to discuss the role of environmental amenities in economic development of rural areas. In order to understand this role, we will give an example of study from the Oasis of Toudgha (Southeastern Morocco).

Keywords:

Environmental amenities , economic activities , natural resources , rural area , Oasis of Toudgha