What urban-rural divide? Experts say it’s more like an ‘interdependency’

Political tension in the United States has fueled narratives that urban and rural areas are sharply divided. But what if it’s more of a myth? The University of Minnesota will soon host public discussions about the ways in which these spaces are similar.

The topic will be discussed in a week-long webinar series beginning Aug. 21.

Ellen Wolter, who helps lead civic engagement for the University of Minnesota Extension, said the public has often been led to believe that small towns and big metro areas are vastly different in terms of their interests, challenges and contributions to society. However, she said, the experts have a different viewpoint.

“Many rural sociologists have described the rural-urban divide as not really a divide but rather an interdependent space of social, economic, political and environmental interaction where our interests are really interwoven and not separate,” she said.

Researchers have said those similarities include a lack of affordable housing and child care, as well as threats from climate change. Wolter suggested that people living in these two worlds need to be allies in order to overcome these challenges. That can help rural and urban areas prosper together.

The webinar series is free. Register at the University of Minnesota Extension website.

Wolter said civic-engagement leaders aim to dispel common myths, such as metro areas being overrun with crime, which she stressed is not the case. As for rural areas, she said they’re more diverse than some might think.

“There’s been some research coming out at the Brookings Institute where there’s this narrative rural is synonymous with the White identity,” she said, “but, in fact, rural America and Greater Minnesota is quite diverse.”

She pointed to Minnesota sharing borders with 11 tribal nations, as well as growing racial and ethnic diversity in a number of towns and cities outside of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Wolter said it’s important to remember these areas rely on each other in many ways, with rural areas producing food that feeds much of the country and providing outdoor recreational opportunities. She said urban areas provide many forms of entertainment, technology and health care.

“There’s just this space in which we are all interacting,” she said, “and I think we forget about that because there is often this narrative of the severe rural and urban divide.”

Mike Moen writes for the Minnesota New Connection.