Masters Theses

Date of Award

6-1981

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Social Work

Major Professor

H. F. Coyle

Committee Members

M. Block, P. Popple

Abstract

Rural-to-urban migration is a visible phenomenon which manifests itself in overcrowding, unemployment and squatting in the urban centers. These issues confront the political, economic and social planners because the problem has been investigated, discussed, analyzed and documented, but a successful solution has yet to be found.

The purpose of this study is three fold; to investigate the reasons why people migrate to the urban centers; to suggest that the development and implementation of a rural housing system is a possible solution to the problem; and to suggest some available alternatives for financing a rural housing system in Zimbabwe.

The investigation was guided by the following questions: Will a rural housing development programme lead to the reduction of rural-to-urban migration in Zimbabwe? Can intervention by the government of Zimbabwe help to attract private investment capital to finance rural housing development system?

The primary means and procedures used in data assembly for this research involved library research, analyzing past findings on the problem. Personal interviews also provided a considerable portion of the data. A survey of the Zimbabwe students in the region provide a major source of needed information. Additional information was provided by some Zimbabwe nationals who visited the country after its first independence on April 18, 1980.

The major findings of the research revealed that rural-to-urban migration is caused by the desire to obtain economic advantages which seem to be available in the urban centers. Secondary reasons include the desire for better housing with amenities, better educational facilities and improved social services. The findings further reveal that rural-to-urban migration is an urbanization and modernization process which affects nations at different levels of development. The mushrooming of squatting colonies is an evolving process which results in the establishment of major industries and centers of attraction.

Policymakers need reliable data in determining the most suitable programmes for the rural areas. Causes for rural-to-urban migration must be analyzed before developing and implementing programmes in the rural areas. Policymakers must be aware of the desire for economic advantages by the rural people before developing or implementing the programmes.

Further research should concentrate on efforts- to collect sufficient data about the causes for rural-to-urban migration. Once in possession of sufficient information, the policymakers will be in a better position to develop and implement programmes which are likely to generate economic activities and emplojmient opportunities for the rural population.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS