Socio-cultural Impacts of Physical Infrastructural Expansion on Local People in Selected Rural Villages of Machakel Woreda, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the socio- cultural impacts of physical rural infrastructural expansion on the social life of rural people with particular reference to rural people of selected villages at Machakel Woreda, East Gojjam zone of Amhara regional state. The study mainly employed qualitative research approach. Different tools of data collection were used to collect primary data. Results of the study are therefore; based on in-depth household and key informant interviews, focus group discussions and  field observations. Physical infrastructures contributed to the health status of villagers. Clean drink water and rural roads as pre-requisites for health posts are essential for healthy and productive rural man power. Such infrastructures were also important for raised awareness and improved consciousness level of rural people in the study area. The study identified both negative and positive impacts of physical infrastructural expansion on the social life of the people in the rural area. These impacts were on social networks and institutions, on the relationship among rural people themselves and on the relationship between rural people and surrounding urban residents. The unbalanced distribution of physical infrastructure across rural localities created inter and intra-village displacements, that in turn affects peoples ‘involvement in the social organizations of idir, iquib and mahiber. Positively, rural people created and strengthen their ties, though some others’ relationship was disrupted during and after the expansion of infrastructure. The social relationship between rural people of the study area and surrounding urban dwellers was also found to be facilitated.

Keywords: Rural villages, Machakel woreda, physical infrastructures, socio-cultural impacts and rural people

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-17-04

Publication date:September 30^th 2020