Study of rural-urban linkages & rural development on the periphery of Bhopal city

Abstract

Anybody without any prior knowledge of urban and regional planning can understand the relationship between urban and rural area. It is common conscience of the people to understand this. Both rural and urban areas depend on each other for various reasons. Urban area depends on rural area for raw material such as agricultural outcomes, milk, labor etc, while rural area depends on urban area for final products like agricultural tools, utensils, textile etc. these dependencies of both area on each other form linkages between them in terms of economy, transportation, social etc. these linkages have various form and magnitude depending on the geographical, social and economical condition of the areas. No two rural urban settings are same. They have unique relationship in each case. So in case of rural area just on periphery posses its own uniqueness in terms of linkages with urban area. Why so, because these area are transition zone. They currently experience enormous change due to expansion of urban infrastructure and activities. It may consider that rural-urban linkages are both cause and consequences of rural development. Does it true? It is interesting to find the effects that rural-urban linkages have on rural development. This study seeks to explore rural-urban linkages and rural development through a case study of two villages on periphery of Bhopal, a relatively well developed village Phanda Kala and a relatively underdeveloped village Barkheda Salam. This concern is then explored by, (1) understanding the importance of rural-urban linkages, (2) to study and compare the nature and extent of rural-urban linkages, (3) to identify the factors which affects the rural development. Data was collected through combination of methods including spatial data from satellite images, survey’s questionnaires, and direct observation and in depth interviews. A sample of 30 household was randomly selected from each of the two selected village for detailed study and analysis. The research has its focus on the concept of rural-urban linkages and the reason for the rural development which was done through the literature search. After this the focus shifts to the case study areas. Attempt has been made to see the nature and extent of rural-urban linkages in the identified area. The study has been done on the various kinds of rural-urban linkages and how it interacts with identified villages. The level of development was identified by social mapping and resource mapping. Finally after drawing some conclusion, this study makes an attempt to give some recommendation to further development of the rural area