The impact of urbanization on rural economy based on sustainable development in Serbia: Case study of the Zlatibor District

A prerequisite to the development of rural areas is the establishment of a stable ecological, economic and social environment that provides employment for the local population and investments aimed at environmental protection. In modern times, the natural and living environment of rural areas is greatly endangered by the process of urbanization and its attendant effects, which is reflected in particular by changes in the socio-economic status of villages. The paper presents possible ways to revive villages and rural economies in Serbia in line with the concept of sustainable development. Relevant indicators are used to classify urban and rural areas, providing a data base for planners and decision makers when creating future development strategies and other documents, ranging from local communities to entire national territories. Attention is focused on applying the mechanisms of small development nucleuses as potential bases to keep the population in rural areas, with the production of health food, energy from alternative sources, ecologically acceptable waste treatment technology, etc