The paper refers to the second and third chapters of Mlinar's book "Living environment in the global information age. Volume 1. Spatio-temporal organisation of living" based on the "Šmarje - The door to the heart of Slovenian Istria" development project. The experience of the project proves the contribution of modern information-communication technologies as well as personal contacts (daily work migrations, leisure activities of urban dwellers in nearby rural areas) in raising the awareness of rural residents about their own responsibility for developing their local community. The project experience also supports Mlinar's thesis about the need for multi-level connections and problem-solving on the basis of a multi-level partnership. However, Mlinar's thesis about the orientation to everyday urban planning which, without the participation of professionals and without at least some professional knowledge of all the participants, cannot produce the optimal spatial arrangements. An interdisciplinary approach and inter-sectoralco-ordination represents the basis of sustainable development on local, regional and state levels.
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