ROADS AND POVERTY REDUCTION

effectiveness of increased mobility? Which rural poor can be effectively helped: the destitute or less poor strivers? Are they poor because they are isolated (cut off: studies show isolation and poverty correlated) But will roads make them more mobile and less isolated? Can they pay for road transport? How can they they profit from more mobility? Does road investment need additional funds to complement it? Should we look at accessibility planning (IRAP) for more detail?

Poverty reduction: nature of poverty Poverty is simple to diagnose but is multi -symptom and multi-cause and difficult to cure The poor are invisible and excluded, often handicapped or in pain, without hope, unwanted, totally dependent, and vulnerable. Sometimes there is no solution but charity Development initiatives can help most those who have material assets and reserves of knowledge and motivation Roads can help to the extent that isolation is a contributing factor

Effective poverty reduction Identify areas where poverty is known to be higher than normal Determine a) are they isolated? b) Does it prevent development? If isolated, then include them in the core network (even if less cost-effective) Are there are other constraints on mobility (small production surplus, low monetary incomes)? Formulate targeted programmes to address this Gender-targeted initiatives more effective as income goes directly to basic needs Don’t just throw money at the problem!