Rural-Urban Interaction in Rural Development of Peri-Urban Areas in Yangon Region, Myanmar: A Case Study of Hlegu Township

Abstract

This research aims to present the rural-urban interactions between peri-urban areas of Yangon City and some villages of Hlegu Township. It intends to investigate the positive and negative effects of interaction on rural development. Hlegu is a small township located close to Yangon City, which creates a positive role in development for its rural population. Some village tracts of Hlegu Township are close to the built-up urban areas of Mingalardon, North Okkalapa and Shwepaukkan Townships and especially to Mingalardon Industrial Zone. Therefore, rural-urban interaction can be found more in these village tracts. The spatial linkages are important taking into consideration the flows of people, goods and technology between rural and urban areas. It is also important for rural development. Because of improving infrastructural facilities and being located close to Yangon City, these village tracts are being developed to some extent; however, the majority of the rural population has low success in agricultural intensification and the pace of industrialization in the urban area of Hlegu is very slow. The exploratory method was applied to explain different flows connecting rural and urban areas (people, technology, goods), and on sectorial interactions (agriculture in the cities, non-agricultural employment in the peri-urban areas). To find out the strengths and weaknesses of these three village tracts for future development, SWOT analysis was applied.