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economic and political relationships that underpin the dynamics between urban and rural<br />
areas need also be understood (Nattrass, 1991; www.ipcfordschool.umich.eduJIabor..1020<br />
conf/session, 2008).<br />
The policies ignoring the complex dynamics between urban and rural areas have always been<br />
beneficial to the urban areas and detrimental to the rural sector. It was the result <strong>of</strong> either a<br />
deficiency in policy which did not treat rural and urban areas equally, or the complete absence<br />
<strong>of</strong> a policy so that the power structures based in the urban areas were able to manipulate<br />
development efforts and funds to benefit the urban areas to the detriment <strong>of</strong> their rural<br />
counterparts. This is called urban bias. This situation was and to a large extent still is, one <strong>of</strong><br />
either/or, between urban development and rural development, in spite <strong>of</strong> the fact that a few<br />
decades have taught us that urban development will not automatically filter through to the<br />
rural areas. The modernisation theory was based on this assumption, but failed dismally<br />
mainly because a few urban areas became islands <strong>of</strong>relative prosperity in a sea <strong>of</strong> worsening<br />
poverty (Nattrass, 1991; www.udw.ac.za/ccs/files/ccsResearchReports2005volumel%2027<br />
32pdf, 2008).<br />
In this research, the developmental differences and inequalities between the rural and urban<br />
areas in South Africa as a whole, and more specifically in Ulundi, ought to be noted. This<br />
study however investigates the extent to which the untapped resources can be <strong>of</strong><br />
developmental relevance to the study area This approach is expected to minimise the<br />
negative effects <strong>of</strong> urban bias in the study area. The study further acknowledges the view that<br />
in Africa, migration to the cities from the rural areas, leads to unintended results such as the<br />
high rate <strong>of</strong>unemployment, crime and short-lived prosperity.<br />
3.6 CASE STUDIES OF MUNICIPALITIES OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA<br />
Consolidating best practices worldwide provide guidelines in decision making processes.<br />
These best practices are adapted to suit specific prevailing conditions. As part <strong>of</strong>this chapter,<br />
case studies outside South Africa that have been incorporated ranging from the United<br />
Kingdom, through the Czech Republic (Kosovo) and Columbia to Lebanon. Although these<br />
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