Urban-Rural Connections: A Review of the Literature
Elizabeth Mylott
The relationship between urban and rural areas is changing is countries all over
the world. While some of the issues, like changing agricultural systems, are universal,
other aspects of the process are specific to certain coun...
The increasingly complex connections between urban and rural areas are
beginning to be recognized but “still have a relatively limited impact on development
policy and practices.” (Tacoli, 1998) The regional development planning used to create a
“better balance between urban and rural and reduce migration pressure on urban areas”
has disproportionally benefitted large farms and wealthy land owners. Instead of
stimulating the regional economies, the goods and services required by the new economic
activities stimulated by these policies come from businesses located outside the regional
boundaries and new income is not reinvested in the community. (Tacoli, 1998) Even
many policies that attempt to draw on urban-rural linkages are often unsuccessful because
they fail to reflect the true circumstances of the people they are created to help.
II. The United States and Canada
A. Patterns of Demographic Change
In their study of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of migration
streams between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas at four different times between
1975 and 1993, Fulton et al found three significant shifts in the direction of migration.
The first occurred during the 1970’s when historical patterns of non-metropolitan loss of
, human resources were reversed. During this time urban areas shrank while rural areas
gained and increased retention of the young and better-educated. During the 1980s that
trend reversed itself and there was a net migration loss from rural areas as better educated
and white collar workers moved to urban areas. During the 1990s there was a non-
metropolitan net migration gain, with the greatest increases among those higher status
groups which experienced the greatest decline in the 1980’s. (Fulton et al, 1997)
Widespread growth in non-metropolitan areas of the United States during the early 1990s
indicates that the renewed population growth in non-metro areas first noticed in the 1970s
has not ended. (Johnson and Beale, 1994)
B. New Settlement Patterns
Nationwide, the cumulative effect of thousands of individual land use decisions is
changing the countryside by consuming at least 1.4 million acres of rural land each year.
The results include loss of agricultural production, water pollution, increases in local
runoff and flooding and loss of habitat and biodiversity. Interaction among different
factors greatly complicates sustainable land management. (Olsen & Lyson, 1999)
Two land development trends, expansion of urban areas and large-lot
development (greater than one acre) in rural areas are reshaping urban and rural areas.
Although it claimed more than 1 million acres per year between 1960 and 1990, urban
expansion is not seen as a significant threat to agriculture, with the exception of some
high-value or specialty crops. Large-lot development poses more of a threat because it
consumes much more land per housing unit than the typical suburb. (Heimlich and
Anderson, 2001)
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller LOVELY01. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $3.00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
