Effect of Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) on Rural Households’ Sociocultural Features: The Case of Jimma and Bunno Bedele Zones, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has been undertaking numerous development projects with the objective of taking the country to the middle-income bracket in the near future. The Universal Rural Road Access Program (URRAP) road in Jimma and Bunno Bedele zones is among such projects. Though this project is intended to bring about significant positive change, there are unintended consequences on sociocultural elements of rural households. Accordingly, this study investigated the impact of URRAP road on the sociocultural transformation of rural households. A household survey for randomly selected household heads and in-depth interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and observation for purposively selected samples were employed in the study. Data were then analyzed quantitatively by using SPSS statistical data software and qualitatively through thematic method. The findings of the study show that URRAP road has had both positive and negative impacts on sociocultural elements such as family organization, social interaction, education, health, and both material and non-material cultural elements of rural households. Finally, URRAP road is experiencing problems, and is in need of extensive and frequent supervision and monitoring, as well as inclusive, interdisciplinary and sound strategies and policies by responsible bodies at all levels and contexts.