Methods for Planning Urban Facilities in Rural Areas of Developing Countries: A Comparison of Approaches

This article provides a short review of issues raised in the debate about the urban functions in rural development approach to planning and whether location-allocation models are appropriate as an alternative. Spatial versus nonspatial aspects of the rural development problem, the importance of transport in rural development, and the role of equity considerations are discussed. Special attention is paid to the nature of linkage effects between agricultural and nonagricultural activities in rural areas. Both negative and positive linkage effects should be taken into account.