ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents findings of the second Settlement and Resource Systems Analysis/Settlement Study Centre seminar as elaborated by each of the seminar participants from the unique perspective of his or her area of professional specialization. It provides an overall conceptual framework for rural regional diagnosis and a strategy design for development intervention. The book looks at the 'urban aspect of rural development'. It discusses the roles of towns and cities in rural regional development. The book describes the expanding variety, complexity, scale and interconnectedness of urban economic and social functions that are needed to meet the changing requirements of agricultural production and marketing as rural regional economies undergo increasing commercialization. It examines urban-urban relations in the rural regional context. The book also reviews the 'urban functions in rural development' approach to rural regions, and introduce a new marketing-oriented approach.
