Explain with examples the problems of rural settlements of developing countries in the world.

Rural settlements are a great challenge and opportunity for planners as not only are they large in number in developing countries but are also poorly equipped with infrastructure. The problems faced by rural settlements in developing countries are as follows –

• Rural settlements often lack in adequate water supply and resources. Those in difficult terrains like hills and arid areas have to depend on water supplies in far-off places. The water used is often susceptible to water-borne diseases like cholera and jaundice.

• Irrigation facilities are hard to access in the rural settlements of the developing countries. This affects the crop cultivation sequence which is also affected by droughts and floods as experienced in the villages of South Asia.

• Rural settlements suffer from a variety of health-related problems because of the absence of a successful toilet and garbage disposal facilities.

• Different building materials that are natural in nature are often used for construction purposes in rural settlements. They need year-round maintenance and are often severely affected during heavy rains and floods.

• Lack of ventilation and the practice of housing animals along side people lead to further health problems.

• Most rural settlements in developing countries have unmetalled roads which get cut off during rainy season. This creates problems for emergency services.

• There is a lack of adequate health and education facilities in the rural settlements of the developing countries. A large rural population which is often scattered exacerbates this problem.