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

One of the most striking features of the spatial pattern of \ndevelopment in most developing countries is the wide difference between \nwhat occurs in urban areas and rural areas, particularly in those \ncountries which have made a rapid transition from a traditional \nagriculturally based economy to a modern oil-based economy. The \ndifferences can be seen in the high concentration of development \nservices in the larger urban centres, and the overshadowing of the \nlarger rural areas. Obviously, the residents of urban centres not only \nenjoy high incomes, but they also have greater opportunities to use \nservices and facilities than does the overwhelming majority of the \nrural population who live in scattered villages and hamlets. \nJizan province as a rural area provides a classical example as is \nreflected by the wide gap in the spatial pattern of development in \nSaudi Arabia, not only between the province and the rest of the \ncountry, but also between the urban centres and rural areas within the \nprovince. In fact, this area is characterized by rich natural \nresources, particularly for agricultural development, as well as by a \nhigh population density. However, it is still one of the backward \nareas in the country, and it is characterized by traditional \nsubsistence methods of agriculture, low incomes, low standards of \nliving, and a high rate of rural emigration to urban areas for better \njobs and social services. \nRecently, the development plans have initiated a system of urban \ndevelopment centres in the hope that the wide gap between regions and \nurban and rural areas will be reduced. Unfortunately, this strategy \nhas clearly proven inadequate in providing a comprehensive regional \ndevelopment policy to solve the rural problems and stimulate the rural \neconomy in the province. \nIt is important to note that agriculture is the basic and \npredominant activity of the rural population in this area. Therefore, \nthe development of this sector is not only desirable but also feasible \nfor the purpose of making rural areas economically and socially more \nattractive by increasing farmers' incomes, and creating work \nopportunities as well as improving other sectors that depend on \nagricultural products. However, agricultural development by itself is \nnot a sufficient basis for rural development that will encourage \nfarmers to stay in their villages. This sector should be provided with \nsupport services that enhance the quality of life such as education, \nhealth care, water, and electricity supplies. \nIn order to achieve the rural development objectives, the \nregional development policy in the province should be broken down, by \nan extension of the urban settlement hierarchy, to include the role \n•Ssmall towns. Since the larger urban centres have not generated the \ndevelopment process in rural areas, the small towns may play a positive and effective role in the provision of economic and social services in \nremote areas as rural service centres. This indeed is the main aim of \nthe study. \nThe structure of the study is divided into three parts. The \nfirst part demonstrates the theoretical framework of the development \nstrategies, and their failure in relation to rural development. It \nalso discusses the role of small towns as an alternative policy for \nrural development. Moreover, the spatial pattern of development in \nSaudi Arabia was also examined. \nThe second part provides a comprehensive geographical analysis of \nJizan province. Physical environment, socio-economic conditions, and \nrural settlement patterns are discussed in order to provide a general \nperspective of information about the study area. The rural problems \nthat relate to agricultural development and the provision of public and \ncommunity services are also examined. Indeed, these analyses show that \nthe rural problems range from inadequate provision of services where \nthey exist, to a complete absence of services and facilities in larger \nrural areas. This part also examines urbanization and the urban and \nrural relationship in order to see how the role of small towns could \nprovide an appropriate extension of the urban hierarchy within the \nexisting urban system. \nThe third part of the study deals with the policy of small towns \nas a planning tool for solving rural problems. Factor analysis has \nbeen used for classification of small towns. This method shows that \nthe rural market centres have a great potential for accelerating the \ndevelopment process as central places. Programmes and implementation \npolicies to establish the new role of small towns are discussed at the \nend of this part.