The concept of planning regions represents a strategic approach to spatial development that seeks to optimize the allocation of resources, foster sustainable growth, and address both environmental and economic considerations within a defined geographic area. Planning regions are delineated zones that facilitate coordinated decision-making and policy implementation to achieve specific development goals. In the creation of these regions, environmental factors play a crucial role in ensuring the preservation of natural resources, biodiversity, and ecological balance. Simultaneously, economic factors such as infrastructure development, job creation, and investment opportunities are integral components aimed at fostering a robust and balanced economic landscape. The synthesis of environmental and economic factors in planning regions exemplifies a holistic approach to regional development, emphasizing the need for a harmonious coexistence between human activities and the natural environment for long-term sustainability.
Answer
According to Boudeville, A planning region is a segment of territory over which economic decisions apply inorder to attain the development of the region.
Characteristics of a planning region are:
- Homogenous economic and socio-cultural structure.
- Economically viable
- Internally cohesive
- Geographically contiguous
- Data collection and analysis point.
- One or more growth points.
The delineation of a planning region is based on various factors to achieve targeted development and efficient decision application.
Environmental factors in the creation of a region:
Various physical factors are decided for planning region demarcation.
- Soil and climate:
The agro-ecological regions, which would be somewhat homogeneous regions in terms of soil, climate and physiographic and conducive moisture availability periods or length of growing period, is extremely important for planning appropriate land use. E.g northern plains for wheat-rice cultivation due to rich alluvial soil. - Bioregions:
Area smaller than a biogeographical realm but larger than an ecosystem. Important for
conservation, rehabilitation projects as well as infrastructure development to avoid man-animal conflicts. E.g north-east region as biodiversity hotspot due to high plants, vertebrates and avian diversity. - Rivers and watershed:
Rivers are a source of energy and industrial development. Therefore suited for regional
development. E.g Damodar Valley Corporation for command area of Damodar basin.
Economic factors in the creation of planning region:
- Resource base:
Decides economic development of the region. E.g. fertile soil with mineral deficiency is likely to be agriculture agriculture-dominant region. E.g. northern plains.
Infertile soil with abundant minerals is likely to be the industrial hub. E.g. eastern plateau region of India. - Technology of resource utilization:
Determines efficient resource utilization of a region. The Mumbai metropolitan region is
the financial capital due to the availability of coastal resources and well-skilled human resources. - Infrastructure for economic development:
Availability of airports, roads, and highways, irrigation systems, capital, etc are fundamental
factors of economic development.
E.g. Delhi-NCR: established in 1985 to plan economic development with policies for land use and infrastructure with eco-sensitive areas(Aravalli ridge) and extended agglomeration with $370 billion GDP (pp).
Regional planning in India is marred by several environmental problems such as air pollution, climate change, and solid waste management as well as economic problems such as unequal income, and regional infrastructure imbalance.
Concerted efforts are therefore required for optimum resource utilization and regional development.
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