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URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE GREEN TRANSITION: A PERSPECTIVE ON YOUTH PERCEPTIONS
Abstract
This article examines the perceptions of young people from urban and rural areas regarding energy transition and sustainable community development, focusing on the use of photovoltaic panels and electric vehicles. The study, based on survey data from 232 respondents aged between 18 and 34, aims to identify the social, economic and territorial factors influencing the ecological attitudes and behaviors of youth. The research employs an innovative mixed-method sociological approach, combining descriptive statistical analysis with deep qualitative interpretation of open-ended responses through grounded theory methodology to develop new socio-ecological typologies. Findings reveal significant differences between urban youth, who benefit from greater access to infrastructure and information and display higher openness to green technologies, and rural youth, who face greater economic and infrastructural barriers. However, rural youth express substantial willingness to engage in sustainable development if these barriers are overcome. Based on these findings, the article advocates for differentiated and inclusive public policy approaches that consider the specificities and genuine needs of local communities. The paper makes a significant contribution to understanding how the young generation can become active and central agents of the green transition, promoting sustainable development and social equity in the current Romanian context.
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