The impact of people's creativity and networks on spatial localisation - Locals, multi-locals, newcomers or returnees as an opportunity for civic engagement in rural areas
研究了多地点居住者、新来者或回归者如何通过其创造力与网络影响农村地区的公民参与，发现个人定位影响参与类型，跨地方参与维持联系，而本地参与更“真实”，多地点居住者和文化行动者带来创新机会。
Rural areas and civic engagement are influenced by ongoing transformation processes. Due to a strong sense of belonging among people in rural areas, along with both historical and emerging engagement structures, civic engagement in these areas plays an important role. This paper deals with spatial localisation through the lens of multi-locals, newcomers or returnees presenting them as an example of potential opportunities for civic engagement. It utilizes theoretical approaches to creativity and engagement as endogenous resources for regional development. By combining the empirical results of two doctoral theses, which used guided qualitative interviews, reflexive photography and egocentric network maps as methods, the paper aims to analyse the extent to which the localisation of multi-locals, newcomers or returnees impacts civic engagement and how rural areas can benefit from civic innovations. The study shows that engagement has different characteristics in rural areas. The personal localisation of volunteers influences the type of engagement. Supra-local engagement offers an opportunity to stay connected and sustain involvement, but "genuine" engagement happens at the local level. The example of multi-locals and engagement in the special field of cultural activities illustrates an opportunity for innovation in rural regions. The multi-locals and the cultural actors, as "strangers" or "newcomers" bring new impressions and skills (from urban areas) to rural regions and communities. • Actors should be activated for human capital and networks that can strengthen creativity and engagement in regions. • Multi-locals, newcomers or returnees can impact the attractiveness of a region positively due to their engagement. • Promoters of engagement and engaged individuals work on different territorial levels, which can cause synergies.