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SSR3033:Theories & Techniques of Regional

Planning

Introduction to Regional Planning5th and 6th Sept 2016

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Assessment

1. Assignment 1 (individual) – 30%2. Assignment 2 (Group) – 20%3. Quiz (2) – 10%4. Final Exam – 40%

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Objectives• To explain the concept of region • To identify the characteristics of a region• To differentiate the terms “planning region”

and “regional planning”• To differentiate between objective view and

subjective view in the context of regional classification

• To discuss the techniques of regional delimitation

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How many regions can be formed here?

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Among the key questions in planning and development field:

• Why do people create region?• Who creates regions?

• How do people creates regions?• When do people creates regions?

In order to do all that, one must understand the concept of region and classification of region

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Concept of region

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Region

• An area identified by specific boundary and meet specific criteria and/or characteristics

• Could be a combination of more than two areas – but with similar characteristics or features

• but it can be any tract of land or any area

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In pairs – how many regions can you see? What are your criteria for selecting the

regions?

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• Is it a homogenous area from a physical point of view and can one talk of a natural region?

• Is it a heterogeneous area with a basic structure such as a river or a fluvial basin?

• Is it a cultural area based on a common way of life or an area based on a city and its hinterland - a so-called nodal region?

In fact, all are regions even if, for a long time, natural regions were the only ones considered by the scientists owing to the dominance of the naturalist point of view.

Justification for region identification?

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Categories and types of region1. Formal, functional and perceptual regions2. Multi-level planning classification of region3. Economic development region4. Activity region

Other important terms:• Nodal region• Planning region

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Regional classification #1Objective View

Linked with space & has spatial dimension (e.g. fishing villages, Light & Medium Industries area)

Region as an end itself – natural & absolute entity

Also known as “formal region”

Favoured by geographers and general public

Problem: in determining the boundaries

Example: Herbertson’s way of regional classification

Herbertson’s work

• A pioneer in essaying a classification of natural environment

• Divided the world into natural regions (6 types)

• Read: Sum, Kong-Sut (n.d) Andrew John Herbertson (1865 – 1915) and the Natural Regions

Herbertson’s classification (examples)

• Highlands (ice-cap) • Lowlands (tundra type)Polar Regions

• Eastern margin with summer rain (China)• Plateaus (Iran)• Western margin with winter rain (Mediterranean type)

Warm temperate

region

• West tropical desserts (Sahara type)• East tropical lands (Monsoon type)• Interior tropical tablelands (Sudan type)

Hot Region

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Regional classification #2Subjective View

Mental construct (spaceless)

arbitrarily dividing it into as many region as needs be – independent of the considerations of space

Region defined based on particular criteria for particular purpose (i.e. used as descriptive tool)

Favoured by economist – engaged in the formulation of regional growth theory

Formal Region vs Functional Region

Formal Region• Also known as

Homogenous Region• Based on similarities

in characteristics (i.e. homogeneous criteria)

• Examples?

Functional Region•Also known as Nodal Region•Characterized by its linkages and flows•Regions are organized around a focal (nodal) point – e.g. around transportation network, communication network, labour and trade flows•E.g use of frequency of bus services as an indicator

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Perceptual region

• Defined by people’s feeling and attitudes about an area

• E.g. what is your view of the Klang Valley area? What is your justification for saying that? What of your view on the East Coast/West Coast?

• On a smaller scale: Chinatown, Little Italy, French Quarter

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MIDDLE EAST?

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Multi-level planning and region classification

NATIONAL

STATE

DIVISION

DISTRICT

SPECIFIC PLANNINGAREA

PLANNINGREGION

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Economic region

• Developed region• Lagging region• Neutral region

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Eastern Corridor

Economic Region (ECER)

Northern Corridor Economic Region

(NCER)

PERLIS

PULAU PINANG

KEDAH

Iskandar Development Region (IDR)

New Growth Opportunities

Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy

(SCORE)

Sabah Development Corridor (SDC)

Quick Facts:

•Investment – RM1.1 trillion•Development Timeframe – 2007 –2030 (23 years)

•Agencies:• NCER – NCIA• ECER – ECERDC• IDR – IRDA• SDC – SEDIA• SCORE - RECODA

Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE)

TunohOil Palm+Timber +

Tourism

Baram Oil Palm+Timber+

Tourism

Tanjung ManisHalal Park, Ship Building

and Resource-based industries

Samalaju Heavy and Energy

Intensive Industries70,708 sq km (56.8%)862,100 persons

Central Region

MukahServices Hub, R&D and

Human Capital

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Activity region

• Agricultural region• Mining region• Industrial region• Others?

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Other terms

• Nodal region• Planning region• Regional Planning

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Nodal Region

• an area organized around a node, or focal point, and is defined by interactions or connections.

• E.g. A metropolitan area such as the Klang Valley region (KL, PJ, Shah Alam, Klang) or Putrajaya

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Development of nodal region

Planning Region

Q1.What is the difference between region and planning region?

Q2. Why do we need planning?Q3. What is ‘planning’?

• Region demarcated for planning purposes• Demarcation needs to take into account (for

ease of implementation): Existing administrative boundaries Political realities Availability of data for specific administrative unit Factors of homogeneity and nodality

Planning region:

Regional Planning• Primary purpose: general distribution of

resources, activities and development• Territorial competition (therefore territorial

approach to development)• E.g. regional co-ordination of transportation

and landuse; regional sharing of resources, regional growth control

Note: will be discussed further in the next lecture

In short, Elements:• Relative

homogeneity• Uniqueness,

distinctiveness & identification

• Blurred boundaries

types:•Formal Region•Functional Region•Perceptual Region•Planning Region

views:•Objective View•Subjective View

Summary• Concept of region - An area identified by

specific boundary and meet specific criteria and/or characteristics

• Criteria for planning regions, and its significance (economic competition etc)

• Regional planning – justifications and examples• Planning region vs. Regional Planning

Ask yourself

• What is your understanding of “region” now?• Does this understanding differ from your

earlier perception of region i.e. before the start of lecture?

• Will you be able to identify the different types and aspects of a region?

References• Ahmad, I & Bajwa, I.U. (2005). Regional

development planning: Issues and realities (http://www.isocarp.net/data/case_studies/649.pdf)

• Glasson, J & Marshall, T. (2007). Regional Planning. New York: Routledge

• Pike, A. (2006). Local and Regional Planning. New York: Routledge

• RECODA. (2016). What is SCORE? (http://www.recoda.com.my/invest-in-score/what-is-score/)