(a) Explain any five functions which urban centres perform for rural areas (b) What four problems may limit the performance of the functions identified in (...

(a) Five functions which urban centres perform for rural areas

1. Market function: towns provide markets where rural producers sell their farm produce and buy manufactured goods.
2. Provision of manufactured goods and services: urban industries supply farm inputs (fertiliser, tools, machinery) and consumer goods needed in the villages.
3. Administrative and political function: towns house government offices, courts and local administration that serve the surrounding rural districts.
4. Educational and health services: secondary schools, colleges, and hospitals in towns serve the rural population.
5. Financial and commercial services: banks, insurance and credit facilities in towns provide loans and savings for rural farmers and traders.
6. Employment and processing: urban factories process rural raw materials and offer jobs to rural migrants (also transport and communication hub).

(b) Four problems that may limit the performance of these functions

1. Poor transport links: bad roads and inadequate transport make it difficult to move goods and people between town and country.
2. Inadequate infrastructure and finance: shortage of funds, electricity and water limits the services the town can offer.
3. Rapid urban growth and overcrowding: pressure of a swelling population strains urban facilities so they cannot adequately serve rural areas.
4. Poverty and low purchasing power of rural people: low rural incomes limit demand for urban goods and services; political instability and poor planning may be added.