Connectivity is the ability and capacity for people and communities to be connected, either physically or non-physically, through transport or communication. To promote rural-urban connectivity, there is a need to provide good, affordable, accessible, and efficient transport infrastructure in not only the developed areas (urban) but also the remote areas (rural) where people are experiencing difficulty in accessing good transport services. Hence this chapter examined the impact of rural-urban connectivity as a way of achieving sustainable rural transport development. To achieve this, there is a need to examine connectivity from the standpoint of accessibility, especially in rural areas, which are usually disconnected from the surrounding urban areas due to poor road conditions. In view of the above, this chapter explored rural-urban connectivity as a measure of improving the mobility of rural dwellers, thus enabling their well-being.
Top1.0 Introduction
Road infrastructure and connectivity are pivotal to the growth, development and sustainability of rural environments. This is because rural areas are the hub for food production and the center for the production of raw materials needed in the industries development. Much attention in rural transport is directed to “first mile” and “last mile” connectivity, as these are seen as the “weakest links” in rural transport systems. However, with increasing volumes of people and goods moving between different network levels, policymakers also need to look at how the different levels of the transport network fit together: “Improving rural accessibility is a local-level issue and requires a change towards a people-centered approach to identifying problems and solutions. However, the higher levels of the transport network are relevant in that they provide the connectivity by which goods, services and people move into and out of rural areas. Thus, improved rural access depends on a well-functioning transport system from top to bottom in order to reduce economic distance.
The rural transport network consists of a wide range of roads, many of which are low quality and are inaccessible during the rainy season. The resultant effect is evident in the low productivity of rural households, hence increased poverty. However, as well as improving the roads, the wider transport system (such as the provision of transport services) is lacking in rural areas where many households cannot afford their vehicles. Overall, it is clear that the transport system is fundamental to economic and social development in rural areas, and significant investment is required to ensure it is of a suitable level. The rural transport system in both developed and developing countries of the world consists of a network of roads and tracks on which the population travels by both non-motorized and motorized modes. The network links the rural communities to other rural and urban towns thus ensuring that rural areas are not cut- off from their surrounding environments. According to Starkey et al. (2013), people need to be within a reasonable distance of a motorable road for them to enjoy the social and economic benefits associated with commuting. Starkey (2007) noted that rural transport services are often inadequate and that passenger and goods transport needs improving to stimulate rural economies and reduce poverty.
Providing an adequate and sustainable transport system is crucial for promoting rural enterprises, which are vital for economic growth and poverty reduction. International development agencies such as the World Bank and the Department for International Development (DFID) are primarily concerned with sustainable economic growth and pro-poor growth of developing countries. DFID’s aims recognize that transport consumes a significant proportion of the income of the urban poor and lack of transport severely constrains development in rural areas (Jacobs and Greaves 2003). Remoteness caused by an inefficient transport system discourages rural people from participating in opportunities that make life enjoyable.
Transport can also contribute to poverty reduction, for example, Aderamo and Magaji (2010) (drawing on a case study from Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State) concluded that the rural road network has a significant effect on the provision of facilities in rural areas and thus has the potential to reduce poverty. Nevertheless, few studies have examined rural transportation, however, few have focused on the area of achieving sustainable growth in the lives of the inhabitants and community. The main objectives explored the propensity of providing good road transport infrastructure to aid development and connect the rural dwellers to the urban communities. Based on the above, the need for a proper transport system and connectivity is inevitable due to its role in the life of the inhabitants and the community, thus ensuring sustainable transport development.