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

Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 86 - 106, 01.07.2018

Farhood Golmohammadı

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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