Uneven development and its effects: Livelihoods and urban and rural spaces in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the uneven nature of development within and between rural and urban spaces in Papua New Guinea (PNG). We focus on economic activities in urban and rural spaces and the ways these have shaped social and environmental outcomes. This analysis highlights three key issues. First, it shows the importance of thinking about development processes, networks and enclaves in addition to more traditional ways of framing development challenges and opportunities. Second, it points to the importance of PNG's rural spaces for policymaking and politics. Finally, it notes that while large-scale development projects, such as mining and liquified natural gas, have significantly shaped urban and rural spaces over the past two decades, due to economic shifts, it is becoming less likely PNG will reshape its urban and rural spaces as dramatically in the years to come.