New hope and future for rural areas under COVID-19 circumstances? Rural development, pandemic liveability and reverse migration.

Abstract

The emergence of the 2019 pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease (COVID 19)has triggered movements of people from urban areas to rural areas. This movement is also opening a window of opportunity for strengthening rural areas and fostering the development of rural areas worldwide. It is a potential opportunity for rural development because it can motivate concerted efforts towards achieving sustainable development in rural areas. The incursion of this virus disaster (i.e. the COVID 19 pandemic) is unmasking the vulnerabilities of the urban areas and the resilience of the rural areas. The challenge posed by the pandemic is revealing that the urban areas cannot keep the development promises rural migrants to have always believed they would achieve. Longterm sustainability oriented thinking and practices are needed, and rural focused development innovations must be sought. The material and immaterial values of rural areas must now be recognized and considered in the development of nations. These are necessary to tap into the opportunities presented by the reverse migration being experienced in certain countries of the world. This chapter posits forward looking statements on these rural issues.