Impact of the urbanisation of a small town on its hinterlands: Perceptions of households in the hinterlands of Vang Vieng, Lao PDR

This research investigated the perceived impact of the urbanisation of a small town on its hinterlands, using Vang Vieng in Laos as a case study. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 315 households in 12 villages surrounding the town. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics, mean ranking and multiple regression analysis. The research found that the top ten negative impacts centred on environmental problems. Results of a multiple regression analysis showed that the length of time the household heads had lived in the village positively influenced their perceptions, while the number of household members belonging to political parties and the proportion of type of agricultural production being changed to serve urban markets negatively influenced their perceptions. This research indicates that the environmental problems generated by the urbanisation of a small town extended well beyond the municipal area to its rural hinterlands. The authors argue that town development should therefore set environmental protection among its first priorities.