Rural Roads for Sustainable Development and Improving Human Capabilities of Local Communities

Abstract

Many rural poor in developing countries live in areas far away from markets and isolation is a key limiting factor to their livelihood. Rural roads in developing countries are often seen as the least important linkage of the road transport system. However, these rural roads provide access for countless rural communities and their inhabitants. In this article, presenting various aspects of rural roads and their role for human and sustainable development and improving capabilities of local communities. For achieving this purpose, after a wide literature review in related human development contexts, a broad field research work had been done during 2015 - 2017 in rural regions of South Khorasan province, east of Iran. Also researcher has been utilized from his observations, discussions, interviews, experiences and pictures during 2005 - 2017. Finally discussing and concluding ways that rural roads can play their best roles. Some of the recommendations are participation of the villagers in the planning process of establishing and maintaining rural roads that are necessary to take into account their tangible needs, mobilizing local resources, and increasing speed of implementation these projects by securing people’s cooperation.

Keywords

• Rural roads,Sustainable development,Human capabilities,Mobility,Local communities,Iran

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