Rural-Urban Divide Research Articles

Disaster Risk and Migration in the West Bank of the Malay Peninsula: Will the Urban-Rural Divide Improve or Widen?

Disaster Risk and Migration in the West Bank of the Malay Peninsula: Will the Urban-Rural Divide Improve or Widen?

Rethinking 3.11's Mediascape through Japan Sinks 2020

This paper examines Science SARU's Netflix show, Japan Sinks 2020, notably its departure from the general apocalyptic ideology of previous primary Japan Sinks texts. By reframing it through the disaster lens of 3.11, Japan Sinks 2020 sheds light on significant inequalities between global and regional images. As the first internationally aired Japan Sinks media, Japan Sinks 2020 leverages contemporary streaming practices to propose ongoing counter-narratives of the Japanese state, its actors, and the urban-rural divides which have preceded – and continue – in the face of 3.11. Drawing upon Komatsu's last words on the international status of the 3.11 disaster, Japan Sinks 2020 is a post-3.11 text addressing aspects of Japanese disaster fiction mainly ignored by previous Japan Sinks texts and simultaneously reignites less-discussed challenges associated with the 3.11 mediascape.

Classroom Development Through Teacher-Researcher Collaboration: Bridging the Rural Urban Divide in Norway?

Norwegian rural schools experience difficulties establishing teacher-researcher collaboration. It is well documented that these schools are described as needing urban development approaches. This study aims to understand if collaborative inquiry can function as a joint learning arena for the development of teachers' and researchers' capacity. Specifically, this approach might enable teachers to develop their teaching independently from urban-placed researchers. The study investigates how the collaborative approach, which is mainly driven by the teachers, bridges the urban-rural divide regarding both professional development and research. Expert interview data were analysed, guided by the principles of grounded theory. Regarding teachers' participation and inquiry, they show a rather passive role. Teacher-researcher co-operation is created through agency and ownership. Conclusively, both teachers and researchers are involved in building the bridge and learning from one another.

The Urban-Rural Divide: Spatial Inequalities and Backlash in the Investment Treaty Regime

A growing literature in international law has examined the backlash against international institutions and norms and its links with the rise of nationalist parties and populism. Some of this backlash have been said to originate with populations in small towns and rural areas socioeconomically “left-behind” by economic globalization. These developments have made salient the growing economic and political polarization between urban and non-urban areas. Nevertheless, this urban- rural divide and its implications for international law have only started to be acknowledged. Aligned with these concerns, this article adopts the urban-rural divide as a geographical scale or frame to suggest a new perspective on the investment treaty regime, its backlash and reform. Outside of the particularly virulent nature of its backlash, the regime’s context provides fertile ground for this frame: it is structured so that urban actors principally located in global or capital cities, such as multinational enterprises, global law firms, or national executive branches, make decisions about foreign investment projects that are often located and impact non-urban areas and populations. As this article contends, this context points to the regime’s potential to impact (and address) through geographical affinities the global growth of political and economic polarization between urban and nonurban areas. The impact of these urban decisions on non-urban areas has so far principally been examined through frames that emphasize impact in terms of the “environment” or “local communities” together with calls for reforms to the regime by allocating more policy space for States. An “urban-rural” frame centers additional impacts in terms of non-urban public interest, local participation, and the distribution of resources, and queries the ability of domestic policies alone to respond to them in the pursuit of socially and economic inclusive investment.

The Urban-Rural Divide in Canadian Federal Elections, 1896–2019

AbstractUsing a new measure of urbanity for every federal electoral district in Canada from 1896 to the present, this article describes the long-term development of the urban-rural divide in Canadian federal elections. We focus on three questions: (1)whenthe urban-rural divide has existed in Canada, identifying three main periods—the 1920s, the 1960s and 1993–present—in which the urban-rural cleavage has been especially important in federal elections; (2)wherethe urban-rural divide has existed, finding that in the postwar period the urban-rural cleavage is a pan-Canadian phenomenon; and (3)how wellurbanity predicts district-level election outcomes. We argue that the urban-rural divide is important for understanding election outcomes during several periods of Canadian political development, and never more so than in recent decades. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for research on urban-rural cleavages, Canadian electoral politics and Canadian political development.

Social Networks, Female Unemployment, and the Urban-Rural Divide in Turkey: Evidence from Tree-Based Machine Learning Algorithms

This study takes a novel, algorithmic approach for understanding the underlying mechanisms related to the employment status of individuals. Using the data from the most recent survey of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) on Turkey, the present study examines how social connectivity and location play a role in the prediction of employment status through the use of two tree-based modern machine learning techniques, namely random forest, and extreme gradient boosting. We obtain a wide array of observations, with gender being the most prominent finding when periphery and rural locations are considered.

The Commodification of Security in Brazil: Urban–Rural Divide in Household Adoption of Safety Protective Devices

This study aims to assess the determinants of using safety devices in Brazilian households, taking into account different urban–rural country contexts and income distribution. Probit models are estimated using microdata from the 2009 Brazilian National Household Sampling Survey. On average, less than half of the underprivileged population adopts safety devices, whereas almost double as many do so among the wealthy. Findings also indicate an inverse association between the level of urbanization and adoption of safety protective devices, especially of modern ones—a pattern mediated by individual levels of victimization and safety perceptions. For example, previous victimization by theft or robbery is more decisive for adopting safety protective devices among economically underprivileged households compared to wealthier ones. These results provide evidence of the perverse effects of unequal commodification of security across a country that penalizes, in particular, the rural poor.

Indigeneity, Transgression and the Body: Orientalism and Biblification in the Popular Imaging of Palestinians

ABSTRACT This article considers how the representation of Palestinians in popular imaging has shifted from the nineteenth century to the current day. It will utilise a mixture of popular media, including photography, portraiture, film, political posters and television. This longitudinal study charts the relationship of Orientalism and biblification as imaging systems – and their respective connotations of familiarity and otherness – in delineating questions of indigeneity and transgression as they pertain to the Palestinian body. It will analyse how biblification and Orientalism have operated to effect transformations in the projection and reception of the Palestinian body, both in western and Palestinian authored imagery. This analysis is underscored with questions of class, urban-rural divides and modernity in Palestine. Analysing the continuities, contestation and transformation shaping the imaging of the Palestinian body, this article focuses on the figures of the fellah, the fedayee and the infiltrator. It argues the Palestinian body was transformed from an indigenous, biblified vestige to an orientalised outsider status, with continuing impacts on contemporary representations. It considers how the historical contestation of Palestinian bodies has continued to impact contemporary popular narratives.

Shared injustice, splintered solidarity: Water governance across urban-rural divides

In response to rapid urbanization and intensifying climatological instability, cities are implementing major water infrastructure projects to mitigate water supply and flood risks. Drawing on four cases from South and Southeast Asia, we show how megacities’ search for additional water supplies or sites to store floodwater repeatedly disadvantage the most vulnerable groups in rural and urban areas. Rather than rehashing urban–rural conflicts, we argue these outcomes demonstrate the continuous reproduction of water insecurity for a class of society that is dispossessed of water and rural livelihoods, excluded from water and land access within the cities they migrate to, and evicted from flood-securitized cities back to the periphery. Water-related injustices confronting the urban poor mirror injustices along the entire water governance spectrum that begins and ends in rural areas. These shared vulnerabilities suggest opportunities for solidarity across urban–rural divides and novel directions for research and coalition building. A fundamental challenge ahead will be whether and how urban and rural poor groups can build regional or national alliances across geographic and identity divides.

Neighborhood and Safety Perceptions: The Urban–Rural Divide in Brazil

This study investigates the determinants of self-reported perception of safety by individuals. It emphasizes the differences between urban and rural areas and analyses the effects of neighborhood perceived safety and neighborhood victimization (indirect victimization). Neighbors offer information to one another as they interact, affecting how individuals perceive safety. Data from research on victimization and justice in Brazil for 2009 are used to estimate probit models controlling for socioeconomic variables for individuals and their neighborhoods. Primary sampling units are considered for delimiting neighborhoods and the urban–rural concept is divided into four categories: urban, peri-urban, accessible rural, and remote rural. The results show that neighborhood perceived safety affects an individual’s perception of safety and that this effect decreases in rural areas. Regarding neighborhood victimization, the results were not the expected and its relationship with perceived safety and the differences between urban and rural areas could not be significantly assessed.

Invisible China: How the Urban–Rural Divide Threatens China's Rise by ScottRozelle and NatalieHell, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2020, ix + 231 pp.

Invisible China: How the Urban–Rural Divide Threatens China's Rise by ScottRozelle and NatalieHell, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2020, ix + 231 pp.

Making sense of business-to-government guanxi amidst the northern-southern and rural-urban divides in China: The institutional vs. the cultural perspective

This study examines Chinese managers’ ethical evaluations of business-to-government guanxi in three regions of China. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 senior Chinese managers in Beijing, Shanghai, and a county of Hebei, representing the urban northern, urban Southern, and rural northern regions of China, respectively. Based on the content analysis of these interviews, we found that the ethical evaluations of the managers in Beijing and Shanghai were more negative than those of the managers in Hebei. Our findings suggest that institutions play a more important role in shaping attitudes toward business-to-government guanxi than culture.

Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban-Rural Divide in America’s Swing States

Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban-Rural Divide in America’s Swing States

The Urban–Rural Divide: The Effects of the Small Business Innovation Research Program in Small and Nonmetro Counties

This study assesses the efficacy of the Small Business Innovation Research Program on innovation, employment, and business formation in small and nonmetropolitan counties. The primary goal is to further understand rural innovation and growth process through government intervention on small business development. Using panel data and employing fixed-effect models, the results suggest that, compared with large metropolitan counties, the Small Business Innovation Research Program may not be an effective program to generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in small and nonmetropolitan regions, but it could be a viable source to improve rural innovation outcome. The geographical effects of the program are heterogeneous across implementation years and award agencies. This study contributes to the innovation policy agenda in small and nonmetropolitan regions, which is an important and emerging topic in the field.

IMPEDIMENTS TO WOMEN HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF DISTRICT CHITRAL

Education is a holistic approach for peace, progress and bringing change in a society. Women equipped with higher education play a significant role in development of a country. The socio-economic and political uplift of a society largely depends on women higher education. Almost all the developed countries of the world give equal attention and consideration to boys as well as girls education; however higher education in underdeveloped states including Pakistan is the most neglected sector. In developing countries including Pakistan one of the major causes of lagging behind economically and socially is absence of technically qualified and highly educated women. Since its inception Pakistan has faced many serious issues in education sector and the education system has failed to deliver to the aspirations of the people. However, literacy rate in Pakistan since 2014 has sustainably increased from 56 percent to 59 percent, however the ratio and proportion of girls is 43 percent as compared to boy’s 57 percent which is still a matter of serious concern. The status of women education varies in rural urban division in Pakistan. Situated just across the borders of Afghanistan Chitral is the northern-most district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Because of its topology and geographic location Chitral is isolated from the rest of Pakistan. The socio-economic sector of the area was largely ignored in the past, due to which the living condition of people are extremely poor. Among the population of 4 lakhs almost 36 percent of the population live below the poverty line according to a baseline survey (ICUN). Although the ratio of education in Chitral is high comparatively in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but still women face substantial challenges and hurdles in higher education. Women education in primary and secondary level is slightly better than higher education level. Women face many hurdles and issues because of socio-cultural taboos, financial constraints, negative perception of co-education and lack of facilities in in higher education sector. This paper will discuss and highlight the status of women education in Chitral, problem faced by NGOs working for higher education, impediments to women higher education and will suggest recommendation for a better way forward

Beyond the Transition: Long-Term Population Trends in a Disadvantaged Region of Southern Europe, 1861–2017

The long-term impact of demographic transitions on the spatial distribution of human settlements was occasionally evaluated in Europe. Assuming the distinctive role of urban–rural divides, our study investigates local-scale population trends (1861–2017) in Southern Italy, a disadvantaged region of Mediterranean Europe, as a result of long-term socioeconomic transformations. A quantitative analysis of municipal-scale population data based on descriptive and exploratory multivariate statistics, mapping, inferential approaches, and regression models identified four time intervals with distinctive demographic dynamics: (i) a spatially homogeneous population growth between 1861 and 1911, (ii) a moderate population increase rebalancing a traditional divide in coastal and internal areas (1911–1951), (iii) accelerated population growth enlarging spatial divides in urban and rural districts (1951–1981), and (iv) population stability (or slight decline) leading to heterogeneous demographic patterns since the early 1980s. The first three stages reflect a prolonged transition from high fertility and mortality to high fertility and low mortality, with accelerated population growth typical of the latest stage of the first demographic transition. Outcomes of time interval (iv) reflect the early stages of the second demographic transition, with lowest-low fertility and rising life expectancy. While the first transition reflected spatially homogeneous population trends along a considerable time spam, the second transition has been associated with heterogeneous (leapfrog) demographic patterns as a result of socially mixed (and spatially) fragmented dynamics of growth and change.

From Grey to Green Filtration: Rethinking Urban-Rural Divide in the Empire City Watershed

Ecologically conscious watershed management is not a new concept. It presents numerous benefits but also incurs economic costs. This study posits that NYC presents an exemplary case for which other metropolitan areas can adopt in establishing a symbiotic relationship with its hinterlands. Both creating efficient allocation of scare resources and reducing overall anthropogenic impact on the biota. In comparing the effectiveness of capital investments in water infrastructure in seven upstate New York (NY) watersheds from 1962-1998, this paper uses a quasi-experimental regional approach to explore the benefits and trade-offs of water infrastructure capital investments and policy decisions. Thereby allowing for a more mutually beneficial and sustainable urban-rural relationship to develop.

A Study on Inequalities in Education created due to Rural-Urban Divide and class position with special reference to Assam

The conceptualized term of rural – urban divide exaggerates the gap of inequality in the sense of education, income distribution, quality of life, modern amenities and technological advancement. In India inequalities in education and learning achievement is increasing gradually due to rural-urban divide paradigm. At present, the world is witnessing an unprecedented human health pandemic COVID-19 which compels us to rethink in all aspects of human life including educational facilities. During COVID-19 imbalance and inequalities are clearly manifested in terms of unequal access to visual learning and online facilities in rural areas. Most of the students in rural areas are affected and deprived of attending online classes due to no accessibility of technology. Socio-economic condition and source of livelihood of rural households are shaken due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it exerts negative impact on children’s education and mental health as well in comparison to the urban areas. Specially in Assam, it is clearly visible that education and learning process are jeopardized and students committed suicide due to lack of android mobile for e-learning. This rural- urban divide intensifies the inequalities in education and learning process. In the present research work the investigators attempts to highlight the inequalities in education due to rural-urban divide. Descriptive survey method has been applied and purposive sampling technique was used while selecting sample for collecting data. The analysis has been done on the basis of descriptive statistics.

The Future of Work: Conceptual Considerations and a New Analytical Approach for the Political Economy

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the changing nature of quality employment in the United States, considering the social and economic consequences of neoliberal policies on the quality and availability of good jobs. Neoliberalism and its policies have profoundly influenced the American economy and impaired the socioeconomic landscape. Access to quality employment is a critical component of the future of work, as it shapes worker identities and empowers them to meet household needs. Quality employment can curb rising inequality, reduce job polarization, close urban-rural divides, and halt the corrosion of trust in American social democracy. This paper proposes a new conceptual and analytical approach to evaluating trends and structural changes in quality employment across American industries. The analytical framework involves a composite indicator — the Quality Employment Index (QEI) — that measures industries’ capacity to offer quality employment relative to one another. We use the QEI to rank fifteen American manufacturing industries from 2001 to 2018, and evaluate them in the context of the U.S. political economy.

Intergenerational Support and Life Satisfaction of Older Parents in China: A Rural–Urban Divide

In the past few decades, Chinese families have experienced unprecedented economic growth. In addition to growth, public policies have changed and developed, internal migration has rapidly increased, and social conditions have generally evolved. Living arrangements in particular have transformed, which likely affects the expectations and preferences of older parents to rely on their children. We use the first two waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative sample of older adults in China, to examine the relationship between intergenerational support and life satisfaction in both rural and urban China. In rural villages, we find that living with grandchildren is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction; this is true even in households without parents (i.e., skip-generation households). Higher life satisfaction is also attributable to receiving instrumental support (i.e., help with self-care and household tasks) from children and exchanging financial and emotional support with them. In urban neighborhoods, in contrast, living in a skip-generation household is associated with a lower level of life satisfaction, and only one type of functional support from children is beneficial for older parents’ life satisfaction—instrumental support. Our findings indicate that there is a rural–urban divide in the relationships between life satisfaction and intergenerational support in contemporary China and suggest that development has weakened historical relationships in both rural and urban areas.