Abstract
Robert Chambers pointed the world to the injustice of the urban bias. Investments,
education, socio-economic prosperity, are all associated with the city, thus leaving the
rural as a passive participant or factor in the economies of nations. Development
theory has also neglected the question of rural development, with the assumption that
for development to be achieved within rural settlements, they must be modernised and
urbanised. Overall, Third World Nations have had to live up to the expectations of
modernisation, with this being undertaken under pressure to catch up with the
“modernised” world. Countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe have adopted
development policies that promote development in the sense of modernisation, as
opposed to development in a holistic manner. Thus, for such countries rural
development has been limited to attempting to urbanise rural settlements. This paper
looks at the association of development with modernisation and urbanism, whilst
alternatives rural development models remain insignificantly explored. Ultimately, the
paper aims to propose a harmonious rural development model that recognises the
unique and specific needs of rural populations and economies, without compromising
the rurality of such settlements.