From binarism to polarism: On rural knowledge outflows’ role in fostering rural-urban linkages

Abstract

As a worldwide phenomenon, rural-urban divide is the fundamental reason for socioeconomic disparities between rural and urban areas within the same region. To achieve sustainable regional development, it is important to foster rural-urban linkages so as to coordinate rural and urban development. This research is aimed to investigating the reasons for rural-urban divide and suggesting how to address it. To this end, based on literature review and the American context, the research first analyzes the ideology and the political economic dynamics behind rural-urban divide. Then, it looks into how a shift from binarism towards polarism can address rural-urban divide and at the meantime foster rural-urban linkages. Finally, with reference to empirical examples from Boston, the research discusses how rural knowledge outflows in the form of urban farming can contribute to the formation of rural-urban linkages.