Transformation and survival strategy: Rural gentrification and social sustainability in gentrified metropolitan and urban ruralities, The case of Sundom, Vaasa, Finland

This chapter brings new knowledge on the effects of transformation in metropolitan and urban ruralities, as well as focus on social sustainability in these locations. The case of Sundom, Vaasa, Finland, highlights areas under pressure of transformation. 'Metropolitan ruralities' is used here as an umbrella concept, subdivided into metropolitan ruralities and smaller (non-metropolitan) urban ruralities. The core of the chapter is to study how and if current global trends in metropolitan ruralities are visible in localities further down the urban scale. A stricter rural gentrification is expected in metropolitan ruralities than in urban ruralities. Metropolitan ruralities are expected to attract more exurbanite migrants, and urban ruralities attract more 'exruralite' migrants. This chapter also outlines som practical and social implications, argues for strengthening social sustainability in metropolitan ruralities and puts some much needed focus on transformation in metropolitan as well as non-metropolitan urban ruralities.