Towards a development strategy : the role of small towns in urbanization and rural development planning in Jizan province, Saudi Arabia

Arishi, AM

Abstract

One of the most striking features of the spatial pattern of
development in most developing countries is the wide difference between
what occurs in urban areas and rural areas, particularly in those
countries which have made a rapid transition from a traditional
agriculturally based economy to a modern oil-based economy. The
differences can be seen in the high concentration of development
services in the larger urban centres, and the overshadowing of the
larger rural areas. Obviously, the residents of urban centres not only
enjoy high incomes, but they also have greater opportunities to use
services and facilities than does the overwhelming majority of the
rural population who live in scattered villages and hamlets.
Jizan province as a rural area provides a classical example as is
reflected by the wide gap in the spatial pattern of development in
Saudi Arabia, not only between the province and the rest of the
country, but also between the urban centres and rural areas within the
province. In fact, this area is characterized by rich natural
resources, particularly for agricultural development, as well as by a
high population density. However, it is still one of the backward
areas in the country, and it is characterized by traditional
subsistence methods of agriculture, low incomes, low standards of
living, and a high rate of rural emigration to urban areas for better
jobs and social services.
Recently, the development plans have initiated a system of urban
development centres in the hope that the wide gap between regions and
urban and rural areas will be reduced. Unfortunately, this strategy
has clearly proven inadequate in providing a comprehensive regional
development policy to solve the rural problems and stimulate the rural
economy in the province.
It is important to note that agriculture is the basic and
predominant activity of the rural population in this area. Therefore,
the development of this sector is not only desirable but also feasible
for the purpose of making rural areas economically and socially more
attractive by increasing farmers' incomes, and creating work
opportunities as well as improving other sectors that depend on
agricultural products. However, agricultural development by itself is
not a sufficient basis for rural development that will encourage
farmers to stay in their villages. This sector should be provided with
support services that enhance the quality of life such as education,
health care, water, and electricity supplies.
In order to achieve the rural development objectives, the
regional development policy in the province should be broken down, by
an extension of the urban settlement hierarchy, to include the role
•Ssmall towns. Since the larger urban centres have not generated the
development process in rural areas, the small towns may play a positive and effective role in the provision of economic and social services in
remote areas as rural service centres. This indeed is the main aim of
the study.
The structure of the study is divided into three parts. The
first part demonstrates the theoretical framework of the development
strategies, and their failure in relation to rural development. It
also discusses the role of small towns as an alternative policy for
rural development. Moreover, the spatial pattern of development in
Saudi Arabia was also examined.
The second part provides a comprehensive geographical analysis of
Jizan province. Physical environment, socio-economic conditions, and
rural settlement patterns are discussed in order to provide a general
perspective of information about the study area. The rural problems
that relate to agricultural development and the provision of public and
community services are also examined. Indeed, these analyses show that
the rural problems range from inadequate provision of services where
they exist, to a complete absence of services and facilities in larger
rural areas. This part also examines urbanization and the urban and
rural relationship in order to see how the role of small towns could
provide an appropriate extension of the urban hierarchy within the
existing urban system.
The third part of the study deals with the policy of small towns
as a planning tool for solving rural problems. Factor analysis has
been used for classification of small towns. This method shows that
the rural market centres have a great potential for accelerating the
development process as central places. Programmes and implementation
policies to establish the new role of small towns are discussed at the
end of this part.

Citation

Arishi, A. Towards a development strategy : the role of small towns in urbanization and rural development planning in Jizan province, Saudi Arabia. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 22, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 22, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1991