In the rural areas, the air and water are cleaner, living costs are low, neighbors are friendly, and traditional culture is well preserved. Yet, medical services may not be readily available, children do not receive the best education, and young men and women find it difficult to get jobs.
All these disparities between the urban and rural areas are the natural results of their evolvement. An integrated development will help residents in the two areas better enjoy the advantages while easing concerns caused by the disadvantages.
Academics had raised three suggestions regarding the relationship between development of the cities and rural areas.
The first suggestion was once very popular among researchers from developed countries.
They believed that cities would attract all the rural resources during their rapid boom. Therefore, cities should be isolated to preserve rural prosperity. This proved to be valid only in theory, and never true when put into practice.
A second suggestion was carried out in some localities. Misunderstanding the term "integrated" development, they tried to turn villages into small cities or towns.
Farmers became urban residents and agriculture gave way to other industries. It was inevitable that village houses would be demolished.
A city government in Jiangsu province vowed to change all rural areas under its jurisdiction into towns over a period of time. The farmers were encouraged to move into apartments during resettlement campaigns.