NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)
Publication Date
2007-01-01
Abstract
This paper examines urban development in the Lao People's Democratic Republicthat links to the improvement of the Greater Mekong Sub-region integrated landtransport network. My objective is to measure the extent to which the urban structure hasbeen changed as the result of the improvement of the integrated land transport network duringthe last three decades. A time-series analysis and associated indicator called 'the integratedland transport development phases' has been used to understand the evolution of the transportnetwork itself and to identify correlation between integrated land transport network and urbandevelopment. The integrated land transport development phases reflect the degree to whichthe Lao PDR has integrated into the international community; and if this has been dependenton the improved cross border facilities and the improved land-linked transport network. Theintegration effort of the Lao PDR associated with the improvement of the Greater MekongSub-region integrated land transport network can be divided into four distinctive stages. Eachstage has its own features attributable; and that link to the variables of the improved crossborder facilities, and the improved land-linked transport network in each period. The analysisrevealed that the population agglomeration and urban development was closely correlated toimprovement of the integrated land transport network in each time frame. Results of theanalysis showed that the integrated land transport network has impacted on economic growthand also the population agglomeration and urban development process in the Lao PDR. Theimproved integrated land transport network has accelerated economic growth of the countryas well as provided equal economic opportunities across the country. This is reflected throughan equitably increasing annual population growth rate throughout the country during the lastthree decades. The outcomes of this research certainly reflects the effectiveness of the GreaterMekong Sub-region initiatives in relation to policies, agreements, infrastructure and servicessupporting increased cross border trade and tourism. The efforts towards strengthening regionaleconomic cooperation as such are also especially important for the development of the North-South and East West Economic Corridors (NSEC and EWEC).
First Page
55
Last Page
68
Recommended Citation
SAUVALY, Vivath
(2007)
"THE IMPACT OF AN INTEGRATEDTRANSPORT NETWORK ONURBAN DEVELOPMENT IN LAO PDR,"
NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning): Vol. 2:
No.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/nakhara/vol2/iss1/6