The goals of this book are to update information on the effects of rural road development both
in Nepal and globally explain the environmental socioeconomic and sociocultural impacts of
expanding rural road networks in the Nepalese Himalaya and to promote further studies on rural
road development throughout the world based on studies and investigations performed in Nepal.
Readers will learn about the history of rural road development as well as the challenges to
effectively design and construct rural roads and how these obstacles may be overcome. Chapter
one offers a global review of road development and both the positive and negative impacts of
rural road implementation. Chapter two defines mobilities within the context of coupled social
and ecological systems specifically in the Nepalese Himalaya. Chapters three through five
detail the environmental socioeconomic and sociocultural impacts expanding rural road
networks through several case studies. The concluding chapter summarizes the findings of the
book discussing the need for interdisciplinary cooperation and collaboration to avoid negative
consequences. This book will be of interest to teachers researchers policy makers and
development organizations.
