Does the extension of the rural road network have a positive impact on poverty reduction and resilence for the rural areas served?
This systematic review provide an overview of the key evidence on this issue.
Abstract
This systematic review asked ‘Does the extension of the rural road network have a positive impact on poverty reduction and resilience for the rural areas served? If so how, and if not why not?’
The reviewers found that the extension of rural roads networks has been shown to lead to a strong increase in opportunities to gain non-agricultural work, increased volume of traffic, reduced poverty, reduced transport costs, increased agricultural output, and increased access to health centres and there is some evidence to suggest school completion rates are improved.
The negative impacts include increased risk of spreading infections such as HIV/AIDS and E-Coli and by improving access for one area this can lead to a decline in economic activity for nearby communities located on routes that have not received road investment.
Citation
Hine J.; Abedin M.; Stevens R.J.; Airey T.; Anderson T. Does the extension of the rural road network have a positive impact on poverty reduction and resilience for the rural areas served? If so how, and if not why not? A systematic review. EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, UCL Institute of Education, University College London (2016), 143p
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