The rural areas today are under massive pressure, due to accelerating urbanization in connection to globalization. The development
has a negative effect on the small rural communities which become abandoned, empty and dilapidated, and it seems that this development will continue (Laursen, 2009). Therefore, there is a great need for both architects and designers to take on the task and responsibility, to create a better quality of life in rural areas (Laursen, 2020a).
This thesis seeks to investigate how place-bound potentials can enhance the local identity and livability in rural small towns. This is investigated through the project’s literature review, which reviews recent theory, within the urban design field. Here, key themes as; ruralism, livability, and place- bound potentials are reviewed and explained. In conclusion, the term; rural livability is formed to define how livability is accomplished in the rural and more disconnected areas.

Further, this thesis seeks to propose a holistic design strategy for the town of Thyborøn, with the aim to ensure equal opportunities for both the residents and visiting tourists, by creating links between the town’s place-bound potentials. This strategy is based on the knowledge that has been gathered through the process, both academically and contextually, which creates both an overall framework for the rural areas, as well as a context-based knowledge bank about Thyborøn. This enables the strategy to incorporate; the climate challenges, the limitations due to the peripheral location, and the planned tourism strategy all of which are present in Thyborøn.

Even now, under the presence of a global pandemic, is it important to realize what assets and treasures we have within our borders. Therefore, this project is extremely relevant, as the Danish citizens spend more time at home as well as traveling within Denmark. Maybe to some extent, this is the new everyday life, also post COVID-19. Nevertheless, this thesis underlines the importance of local identity and the possibilities, a rural small town like Thyborøn, can gain by working with a holistic design strategy to ensure a better quality of life. This design strategy will, as a conclusion, be unfolded and analyzed upon, which leads to the epilog, where future reflections are enclosed.