Toward synergistic rural-urban development: the experience of the Rural Urban Partnership Programme (RUPP) in Nepal

Using a case study from Nepal where conscious efforts have been made to improve linkages between rural and urban areas through the Rural Urban Partnership Programme, RUPP, this paper suggests a general framework for rural-urban development. It argues that, while macro-level reforms can provide a sound policy framework and effective incentives, it is at the regional level that appropriate interventions can be identified and implemented.

The author argues that the creation of linkages and multiplier effects is the most important strategy for rural regional development. These include local trading, retention of multiplier activities, geographic spread of new economic activities to include the poor.

The future of rural development is said to depend on both productive investment (e.g. roads and irrigation), and social investment (e.g. health, education, institutional capacity building). Without such investment, development will at best achieve fragmented successes. The author concludes that if the poor are to benefit from increased productivity, investments are needed in these linkages.