Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neither Rural nor Urban: Service Delivery Options That Work for the Peri-urban Poor

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Peri-urban Water and Sanitation Services

Abstract

This chapter examines why it is necessary and relevant to overcome the rural–urban divide in order to obtain a better grasp of the water and sanitation (WATSAN) needs of the peri-urban poor. While explicit concern with the nature and impact of rural–urban linkages on people’s livelihoods and quality of life is relatively recent, assumptions about the role of urban and rural areas and their relationship are implicit in almost all development theories. Aimed at taking the reader beyond the rural–urban dichotomy and public–private controversy, the discussion explores the multiple practices and arrangements by which the peri-urban poor actually access water and sanitation on the ground. The concept of ‘service co-production’ is presented in this context as a means to explore meaningful institutional mechanisms to support their multiple practices and arrangements and their role and rights as key agents of change. The chapter concludes with an examination of how the previously discussed conceptual developments and empirical evidence can aid the identification of service delivery options that work for the peri-urban poor.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    ‘Growth pole’ policies are concerned with encouraging multiplier effects around those areas where economic growth is concentrated, especially in regions of industrial decline or stagnation.

  2. 2.

    The term desakota derived from the Indonesian words village (desa) and town or city (kota).

  3. 3.

    Examples include Kano, Northern Nigeria (Mortimore 1993), the Mossi plateau in Burkina Faso and Machakos in Kenya (Tiffen 2003).

References

  • Adam, C., Cavendish, W., & Mistry, P. (1992). Adjusting privatization: case studies from developing countries, James Curry, Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Adell, G. (1999). Theories and models of the peri-urban interface: a changing conceptual landscape. Report prepared for the Research Project. Strategic Environmental Planning and Management for the Peri-urban interface. London: Development Planning Unit.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aguilar, A. G., & Ward, P. (2003). Globalization, regional development and mega-city expansion in Latin America: analyzing Mexico City’s peri-urban hinterland. Cities, 20(1), 3–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, A. (forthcoming 2010). Service co-production and water management governance in the peri-urban interface: responsible citizenship in Venezuela. In Igor Vojnovic (Ed.), Sustainability: a global urban context. Lansing, MI: Michigan State University (MSU) Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, A., Da Silva, N.A. & Corubolo, E. (1999). Environmental problems and opportunities of the peri-urban interface and their impact upon the poor. Document produced for the Research Project Strategic Environmental Planning and Management for the Peri-urban Interface. Development Planning Unit, University College London. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu/pui.

  • Allen, A., & Dávila, J. (Eds.). (2002). Mind the gap: bridging the rural–urban divide. Insights Development Research (41), May. http://www.id21.org/insights/insights41/index.html.

  • Allen, A. (2003). Environmental planning and management of the peri-urban interface (PUI): perspectives on an emerging field. Environment and Urbanization, 15(1), 135–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, A., Dávila, J. D., & Hofmann, P. (2006a). Governance of water and sanitation for the peri-urban poor: a framework for understanding and action in metropolitan regions. London: University College London, Development Planning Unit. www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu/pui/publications/DPU%20PUI%20WSS_Book.pdf.

  • Allen, A., Dávila, J. D., & Hofmann, P. (2006b). So close the city, so far from the pipes. London: University College London, Development Planning Unit. www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu/pui/publications/DPU%20PUI%20WSS%20Brochure.pdf.

  • Allen, A., Hofmann, P., & Griffiths, H. (2007). Rural–urban linkages for poverty reduction. Report commissioned by IDRC/UPE and UN-Habitat for the State of the World’s Cities Report 2008: Creating Harmonious Cities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, A., Hofmann, P., & Griffiths, H. (2008). Moving down the ladder: governance and sanitation that works for the urban poor. Discussion paper commissioned by IRC for the Symposium: Sanitation for the Urban Poor Partnerships and Governance, Delft, The Netherlands, 19–21 Nov 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, W., & McGee, T. G. (1985). Theatres of accumulation: studies in Latin American and Asian urbanisation. London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, J. (2004). Water for the world – Why is it so difficult? Fifth Brunel International Lecture, Institution of Civil Engineers. www.ice.org.uk.

  • Batley, R. (1996). Public–private relationships and performance in service provision. Urban Studies, 33(4–5), 723–751.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, J., & Mwamfupe, D. (2000). Peri-urban development in an era of structural adjustment in Africa: the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Urban Studies, 37(4), 797–810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browder, J., Bohland, J. R., & Scarpaci, J. L. (1995). Patterns of development on the metropolitan fringe – urban fringe expansion in Bangkok, Jakarta and Santiago. Journal of the American Planning Association, 61(3), 310–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burra, S., Patel, S., & Kerr, T. (2003). Community-designed, built and managed toilet blocks in Indian cities. Environment and Urbanization, 15(2), 11–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calaguas, B., & Roaf, V. (2001). Access to water and sanitation by the urban poor. Paper presented to Development Studies Association Conference, Manchester, 10 Sept.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cariola, C., & Lacabana, M. (2004). WSS practices and living conditions in the peri-urban interface of metropolitan Caracas: the cases of Bachaquero and Paso Real 2000. Unpublished report prepared for the Research Project Service Provision Governance in the peri-urban interface of metropolitan areas. Development Planning Unit, University College London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castells, M. (1989). The informational city: information technology, economic restructuring and the urban-regional process. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, P., & Kirkpatrick, C. (1988). Privatization in less developed countries, Wheatsheaf, Brighton, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • da Costa, S., Campos Borja, S.P., Heller, L., & Santos Moraes, L.R. (2006). Successful municipal experiences in water supply and sanitation services in Brazil. Available online at http://www.tni.org/water-docs/dacosta.pdf.

  • Dardenne, B. (2006). The role of the private sector in peri-urban or rural water services in emerging countries, OECD Global Forum on Sustainable Development: Public–Private Partnerships in Water Supply and Sanitation – Recent Trends and New Opportunities, Paris, Nov 2006. http://aspa-utilities.com/Dardenne_OECD.pdf.

  • Douglass, M. (1998). A regional network strategy for reciprocal rural–urban linkages: an agenda for policy research with reference to Indonesia. Third World Planning Review, 20(1), 1–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglass, M. (2006). A regional network strategy for reciprocal rural–urban linkages: an agenda for policy research with reference to Indonesia. In C. Tacoli (Ed.), Rural–urban linkages (pp. 124–154). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckerberg, K., & Joas, M. (2004). Multi-level environmental governance: a concept under stress? Local Environment, 9(5), 405–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, J. (2006). Achieving sanitation at scale: Innovative approaches to rural and urban sanitation. WELL Briefing Note 18, Water and Engineering and Development Centre, Loughborough. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/Publications/Briefing%20Notes/BN18%20Sanitation%20at%20scale.htm.

  • Frayne, B. (2005). Survival of the poorest: migration and food security in Namibia. In Luc J. A. Mougeot (Ed.), AGROPOLIS: the social, political, and environmental dimensions of urban agriculture (pp. 31–50). London: Earthscan/IDRC. http://www.idrc.ca/es/ev-85401-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html.

  • Friedmann, J., & Douglass, M. (1975). Agropolitan development: Towards a new strategy for regional planning in Asia, in United Nations Centre for Regional Development. Growth pole strategy and regional development planning in Asia (pp. 333–387). Nagoya: The Asian Experience.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, A. (1993). Third world cities: the changing national settlement system. Urban Studies, 30(4/5), 721–740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, N., Koppel, B., & McGee, T. (Eds.). (1991). The extended metropolis: settlement transition in Asia. Honolulu, Hawaii: Hawaii University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez, E., Calaguas, B., Green, J., & Roaf, V. (2003). New rules, new roles: does Private Sector Participation (PSP) benefit the poor? Synthesis report. London: WaterAid and Tearfund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, D. (1995). The environment of justice. In A. Merrifield & E. Swyngedouw (Eds.), The urbanization of injustice (pp. 65–99). London: Lawrence and Wishart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzer, H., & Pirez, P. (1989). Municipio y participación popular en America Latina, Desarrollo Económico, 29(114), 187–205 (July–Sept).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogrewe, William, Joyce, Steven D. & Perez, Eduardo A. (1993). The unique challenge of improving peri-urban sanitation. Voices from the city. Newsletter of the peri-urban network on water supply and environmental sanitation, Vol 2. WASH Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jack, M., & Morris, R. (2005). The community led infrastructure finance facility (CLIFF), International Association of Local and Regional Development Funds in Emerging Markets. Available online at http://www.citiesalliance.org/doc/resources/financing/cliff/articleIADF(FullVersionFinal)_Jun05.pdf.

  • Jerve, A. M. (2001). Rural–urban linkages and poverty analysis. In A. Grinspun et al. (Eds.), Choices for the poor: lessons from national poverty strategies (pp. 89–120). Bergen and New York: CMI/UNDP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jolly, R. (2003). Water and sanitation goals: is progress in the pipeline? id21 Research Highlight: 10 Mar 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, A., & Moore, M. (2002). Organisations that reach the poor: why co-production matters. Paper prepared and presented at the Making Services Work for Poor People, World Development Report (WDR) 2003/04 Workshop, Oxford, 4–5 Nov.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, A., & Moore, M. (2004). Institutionalized coproduction: unorthodox public service delivery in challenging environments. Journal of Development Studies, 40(4), 31–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, D., & Morgan, J. (2007). Pavement dwellers’ sanitation activities: visible but ignored. Water Lines, 25(3), 19–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, W. A. (1954). Economic development with unlimited supplies of labour. The Manchester School, 22, 139–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, W. A. (1979). The dual economy revisited. The Manchester School, 47, 211–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipton, M. (1977). Why poor people stay poor: a study of urban bias in world development. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynch, K. (2005). Rural–urban interaction in the developing world. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mara, D. (1998). Low-cost sewerage, Sanitation Promotion, WSSCC Working Group on Promotion of Sanitation, WHO, Geneva. Available online at http://www.efm.leeds.ac.uk/CIVE/Sewerage/articles/WHO_EOS_98.5_pp249-262.pdf

  • McGee, T. G. (1991). The emergence of the desakota regions in Asia: expanding a hypothesis. In N. Ginsberg, B. Poppel, & T. G. McGee (Eds.), The extended metropolis (pp. 3–25). Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGranahan, G., & Satterthwaite, D. (2006). Governance and getting the private sector to provide better water and sanitation services to the urban poor. IIED human settlements discussion paper series, theme: Water-2. London: International Institute for Environment and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, D., Simon, D., & Thompson, D. (2006). The peri–urban interface. Approaches to sustainable natural and human resource use. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, M., Stren, R., Cohen, B., & Reed, H. E. (Eds.). (2004). Cities transformed: demographic change and its implications in the developing world. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortimore, M. (1993). The intensification of peri-urban agriculture: the Kano close-settled zone, 1964–1986. In B. L. Turner, R. W. Kates, & G. Hyden (Eds.), Population growth and agricultural change in Africa. Florida: University Press of Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myint, H. (1964). The economics of developing countries. London: Hutchinson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neder, K. D., & Nazareth, P. (1998). Condominial sewerage systems for the federal district of Brazil. CAESB – Water and Sewerage Company of Brasília. http://www.efm.leeds.ac.uk/CIVE/Sewerage/.

  • Nunan, F., & Satterthwaite, D. (2001). The influence of governance on the provision of urban environmental infrastructure and services for low-income groups. International Planning Studies, 6(4), 409–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (1973). Community organisation and the provision of police services. Woodland Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (1996). Crossing the great divide: co-production, synergy and development. World Development, 24(6), 1073–1087.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Percy, S. L. (1984). Citizen participation in the co-production of urban services’. Urban Affairs Review, 19(4), 431–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A. (1985). The informal sector and the world-economy: notes on the structure of subsidized labor. In M. Timberlake (Ed.), Urbanization in the world-economy (pp. 53–62). Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A., & Walton, J. (1981). Labor, class, and the international system. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potter, R., Binns, T., Elliott, J., & Smith, D. (2004). Geographies of development. Harlow: Pearson (Second edition).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qadeer, M. A. (2000). Ruralopolises: the spatial organisations of residential land economy of high density rural regions in South Asia. Urban Studies, 37(9), 1583–603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakodi, C. (1998). Review of the poverty relevance of the peri-urban interface production system research. Report for the DFID natural resources systems research programme (PD70/ZE0091), Second Draft, Sept.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigg, J. (1998). Rural–urban interactions, agriculture and wealth: a southeast Asian perspective. Progress in Human Geography, 22(4), 497–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rondinelli, D. (1979). Applied policy analysis for integrated regional development planning in the Philippines. Third World Planning Review, 1(2), 151–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rostow, W. W. (1960). The stages of economic growth: a non-communist manifesto. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satterthwaite, D. (2000). Seeking an understanding of poverty that recognizes rural–urban differences and rural–urban linkages. Paper commissioned by the World Bank, first draft presented at the World Bank’s Urban forum on urban poverty reduction in the 21st century, April 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaub-Jones, D. (2006). Sanitation partnerships: can partnership make a difference to the urban sanitation challenge? BPD Sanitation Series, Feb 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • SIGUS (2003). Providing sanitation services, in Water and sanitation for all: a practitioners companion. http://web.mit.edu/urbanupgrading/waterandsanitation/levels/provide-san-serv.html#household-latrine-pit-septic.

  • Tacoli, C. (1998). Rural–urban interactions: a guide to the literature. Environment and Urbanization, 10(1), 147–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tacoli, C. (Ed.). (2006). The Earthscan reader in rural–urban linkages. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tayler, K. (2005). Notes on sanitation and wastewater disposal. Prepared for the Research Project Service Provision Governance in the Peri-urban interface of Metropolitan Areas. London: Development Planning Unit.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiffen, M. (2003). Transitions in sub-Saharan Africa: agriculture, urbanisation and income growth, World Development, 31(8): 1343–1366. Reprinted in C. Tacoli (Ed.) (2006). The Earthscan reader in rural–urban linkages (pp. 91–123). London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varley, R. C. G., Yacoob, M., & Smith, S. (1996). Beyond participation: locally based demand for environmental health in peri-urban areas. USAID. http://pdf.dec.org/pdf_docs/pnabz936.pdf.

  • Watson, G. (1995). Good sewers cheap? Agency–customer interactions in low-cost urban sanitation in Brazil. Water and sanitation currents. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, D. (2004). Summary of peri-urbanisation: the new global frontier. Enschede, Netherlands: International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellisz, S. (1971). Economic development and urbanization. In L. Jakobson & V. Prakash (Eds.), Urbanization and national development (pp. 39–55). Woodland Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, G. (1980). Co-production: citizen participation in service delivery. Public Administration Review, 40, 240–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, J. (1965). Regional inequality and the process of national development: a description of patterns. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 13(4), 3–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2003). World development indicators. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • WUP (Water Utility Partnership for Capacity Building) Africa. (2003). Better water and sanitation for the urban poor. Good practice from sub-Saharan Africa. Nairobi: European Communities and Water Utility Partnership.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Senior Lecturer and Director of the M.Sc. in Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) Development Planning Unit, University College London, 34 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9EZ, UK

    Adriana Allen

Authors
  1. Adriana Allen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adriana Allen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, Delft, 2611 AX, Netherlands

    Mathew Kurian

  2. , Global City Indicators Facility, University of Toronto, Bloor Street West, Suite 1100 170, Toronto, M5S 1T9, Canada

    Patricia McCarney

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Allen, A. (2010). Neither Rural nor Urban: Service Delivery Options That Work for the Peri-urban Poor. In: Kurian, M., McCarney, P. (eds) Peri-urban Water and Sanitation Services. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9425-4_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation