A thesis submitted in partial fulfillments oi the requirements for the degree of Master or Science

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1984

The study is both an exploratory and evaluative research on the impact of rural growth centres in Malawi with emphasis on Mkhota and Mbalachanda rural growth centres. The study was conducted from June to mid-August 1984. The study explores the extent of Utilization of the rural growth centres facilities and services, especially the educational, health, produce markets and community development facilities and services. Other services such as post offices and transportation facilities have also been dealt with briefly for their impact on the surrounding population as part of the project package of facilities. This assessment of the facilities' use has been linked with the spatial, social and economic impact of the centres on the surrounding population. The assessment also lead to the evaluation or assessment of the project activities and assumptions on the location of rural growth centres and the provision of basic services and their hinterland. The study has shown that utilization rate of the facilities is below the expected levels in that the catchment area is far less than the assumed 10 miles (16 km) radius of the centres. However, some of the facilities such as education and health have proved to be of much use in the rural areas and they are achieving their expected levels of utilization in both Mkhota and and alachanda. The study, therefore, recommends general and specific guidelines for the location of rural growth centres and the provision of facilities within their hinterland which is to be based on empirical data and also with a modified set of standard structures. Recommendations for further research on the evaluation of the rural growth centres' impact on the surrounding population for all the centres are made.