Composite index–based analysis of rural–urban linkages in Pandeglang Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines rural–urban linkages in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, by developing a composite index to assess their role in balanced local economic development. Using the Village Potential Statistics (PODES) 2024 as the primary data source, the index operationalizes seven dimensions: physical infrastructure, economic interaction, population mobility, technology, social interaction and communication, services, and political–administrative linkages. The analytical framework integrates min–max normalization, Rank Order Centroid (ROC) weighting derived from expert judgments of government, community, and academic respondents, and aggregation across 326 villages. Composite scores are aggregated and classified into five linkage categories to identify the relative strength of rural–urban linkages across villages. Most villages were classified as moderate (35.89%) or low (30.37%), with only a few classified as very high or very low. Social interaction and political–administrative linkages constitute the most pronounced dimensions of rural–urban linkages, underscoring the maturity of institutional and social ties between these areas. Conversely, population mobility and service access are the weakest dimensions, indicating enduring structural barriers in transportation infrastructure, spatial accessibility, and equitable service provision. This suggests that linkages are socially and institutionally established but not yet fully effective in driving local economic development due to infrastructure and accessibility gaps. Policy efforts should prioritize improving transport connectivity, service provision, and market access to strengthen mobility and economic integration. Enhanced coordination across administrative levels is also essential to translate existing linkages into more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.