Module Details

Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Sanjukkta Bhaduri

Professor, Urban Planning, School of Planning and Architecture, New
Delhi
Paper Coordinator Prof. Dr. Sanjukkta Bhaduri
Content Writer Prof. Dr. Sanjukkta Bhaduri
Content Reviewer Prof. Kavas Kapadia
Former Dean, Urban Planning, School of Planning and Architecture,
New Delhi
Subject Name City & Metropolitan Planning
Module Title City in context of the region
Objectives • Classification and Characteristics of Regions
• Delineation of a Region
 Module 3 : Unit Structure

1 CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF REGIONS ...................................................................... 4

1.1 CLASSIFICATION OF REGIONS: REGIONAL ECONOMICS ............................................................. 4
1.1.1 HOMOGENOUS (FORMAL) REGIONS ................................................................................. 4
1.1.2 HETEROGENEOUS (NODAL/FUNCTIONAL) REGIONS.......................................................... 4
1.1.3 ADMINISTRATIVE (PLANNING) REGIONS ........................................................................... 4
1.1.4 FUNCTIONAL REGION ....................................................................................................... 5
1.1.5 FORMAL REGION .............................................................................................................. 7
1.2 CLASSIFICATION OF REGIONS: PLANNING SCALES..................................................................... 9
1.2.1 Macro Regions.................................................................................................................. 9
1.2.2 Meso Regions ................................................................................................................... 9
1.2.3 Micro Regions .................................................................................................................. 9
1.2.4 Micro – Minor Region ....................................................................................................... 9
1.3 CLASSIFICATION OF REGIONS: STAGES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ................................... 13
1.3.1 DEVELOPED / DEVELOPMENT REGIONS .......................................................................... 13
1.3.2 BACKWARD REGIONS ..................................................................................................... 13
1.3.3 NEUTRAL REGIONS/ INTERMEDIATE REGIONS ................................................................ 13
1.4 CLASSIFICATION OF REGIONS: ACTIVITIES............................................................................... 15
1.4.1 MINERAL REGIONS ......................................................................................................... 15
1.4.2 MANUFACTURING REGIONS AND CONGESTED REGIONS ................................................ 15
1.4.3 CULTURAL REGION ......................................................................................................... 15
2 DELINEATION OF A CITY-REGION ................................................................................................... 17
2.1 VARIABLES FOR DELINEATION ................................................................................................ 17
2.1.1 FORMAL REGION: ........................................................................................................... 17
2.1.2 FUNCTIONAL REGION: .................................................................................................... 17
2.2 DELINEATION OF THE REGION OF A CITY: FLOWS ................................................................... 17
2.2.1 PEOPLE: PASSENGER TRAFFIC ......................................................................................... 17
2.2.2 GOODS: VOLUME OF GOODS TRAFFIC ............................................................................ 18
2.2.3 FINANCE: BANKING FACILITIES........................................................................................ 18
2.2.4 OTHERS: ......................................................................................................................... 18
2.3 Delineation of the Region of a City: Suitability of Region ........................................................ 18
2.3.1 ENVIRONMENT & LAND SUITABILITY .............................................................................. 18
 2.4 INTER-DEPENDENCE/LINKAGES AND IMPACTS ....................................................................... 19
2.5 Delineation of the Region of a City: Socio- economic .............................................................. 19
2.5.1 DEMOGRAPHIC, QUALITY OF LIFE ................................................................................... 19
2.5.2 URBANISM ..................................................................................................................... 19
2.5.3 DENSITY.......................................................................................................................... 19
2.5.4 Economic........................................................................................................................ 20
2.6 DELINEATION OF THE REGION OF A CITY- METHODS .............................................................. 20
2.7 Delineation of a Planning Region: Process .............................................................................. 21
3 References..................................................................................................................................... 22
1 CLASSIFICATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF REGIONS

 Regional Economics
 Planning Scales
 Stages of Economic Development
 Activity Status Analysis

1.1 Classification of regions: regional economics

1.1.1 Homogenous (formal) regions

Homogenous (Formal) regions based on the similarity of one or two or combination of phenomena, alike
in all its parts; emphasis similarity-formal regions

1.1.2 Heterogeneous (nodal/functional) regions

Heterogeneous (Nodal/Functional) regions - based on the centrality-emphasis interdependence-

functional regions

1.1.3 Administrative (planning) regions

Administrative (Planning) regions based on administrative convenience-emphasis uniformity and

convenience, Planning and Programming Regions

(Source: S. Rengasamy. Regional Planning & Development. Madurai Institute of Social Sciences)
 Homogenous (Formal) Heterogeneous (Functional) Planning/ Administrative

 Geographical area  Composed of  A combination of

which is homogenous
in terms of geo
physical, economic
criteria or
social/political criteria
 Economic homogeneity
is more relevant for
planning
 A homogenous
problem bound entity
 It is also regarded as
formal region
heterogeneous units homogeneity, modality
which are functionally and administrative
inter related convenience
 Cohesiveness is due to  Contiguous area with
internal flows, contacts socio cultural
and interdependencies homogeneity
 Functional relationship  One administrative
usually revealed in agency
flows of people,  Consensus in defining
services, commodities problem and solving it
and communication

1.1.4 Functional region

An area organized to function politically, socially, and economically as a single unit. These are centered
on a focal point connected to other areas by various means such as transportation, communication,
and/ or economic activities.

E.g.-

1. Delhi- National Capital Region,

2. Mumbai Metropolitan Region,

3. Bengaluru Metropolitan Region,

4. Kolkata Metropolitan Area and

5. Chennai Metropolitan Area

Source:

https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846;

http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-regions.pdf and http://planningtank.com/planning-

techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions
1.1.5 Formal region

An area inhabited by people who have one or more characteristics in common. It may be a common
language, a common crop or climatic conditions of an area.

E.g.-

1. The Himalayan Range,

2. The Northern Plains,

3. Deccan Plateau,

4. Indian Dessert,

5. Eastern Ghats and

6. Western Ghats

Source: https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846; http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-

regions.pdf and http://planningtank.com/planning-techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions
Planning region is an area identified for the purpose of growth of the settlements in that area and is
notified by a competent authority under a specific legislation.

Boudeville defines a planning region as “an area displaying some coherence or unit of economic
decisions”.

Klassen defines it as “A planning region;

• Must be large enough to take investment decisions of an economic size,

• Must be able to supply its own industry with the necessary labor,

• Should have a homogeneous economic structure,

• Contain at least one growth point and

• Have a common approach to and awareness of its problems.

In short, a planning region should be defined according to the purpose of one’s analysis.”

Identification of planning regions under the following heads: Investment regions and Special regions.

Investment Regions are new investment manufacturing zones, industrial and freight corridors, special
investment regions etc. They could be identified under National Acts.

They are often referred to as Special Investment Regions (SIR), the concept is similar to that of a Special
Economic Zone. The purpose of these regions are to create large size Investment Regions / Industrial
areas and develop them as Global Hubs for economic activity supported by world class infrastructure.

Eg.- Gujarat (Dholera SIR, Mandal Becharaji SIR, Halol - Savli SIR, Navlakhi SIR, Aliyabet SIR, Santalpur SIR
and Hazira SIR)
1.2 Classification of regions: planning scales

1.2.1 Macro Regions

Macro region can be a state of even a group of states, if the states of a country are not big enough. A
Macro-major region can be a zone in a country, which may comprise of a few States.

1.2.2 Meso Regions

Meso region can be identified with a ‘division’ of a state. Meso region can also become a nodal region
provided the combined micro regions or parts thereof can be developed in a complementary manner.

1.2.3 Micro Regions

In multi-level planning, district is the micro region. It becomes the lowest territorial unit of planning in
the hierarchy of planning regions.

1.2.4 Micro – Minor Region

A micro-minor region can be a block for which also data exists now and for which there may be a plan.
Source: https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846; http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-
regions.pdf and (http://planningtank.com/planning-techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions)
 Macro Meso Micro Micro-Minor

• Second in • Subdivision of • District/ the • Region

hierarchy, next a state lowest associated
to the national comprising of territorial unit with grass-
level several of planning in root planning
districts with the hierarchy of
• It may have • A block for
some planning
homogenity in which data
identifiable regions
one respect exists and
affinity which
(physical • Existence of there may be
facilitates
complimentarity) database and a plan
planning
and may have compact
• Block level
heterogeneity in • Can be cultural administration
plan
another respect or
• Area viable for integrated
(administrative administrative
plan with the
boundaries) region
formulation, national plan
• Can be implementation
• Has its own
homogenous and monitoring
logic and
physical region
linkage
• Can be a nodal
region

Macro Regions: India has been divided into 15 macro regions in terms of agro-climate. Eg.-

1. Western Himalayan Region

2. Eastern Himalayan Region

3. Lower Gangetic Plain Region

4. Middle Gangetic Plain Region

5. Upper Gangetic Plains Region

6. Trans-Ganga Plains Region

7. Eastern Plateau and Hills

8. Central Plateau and Hills

9. Western Plateau and Hills

10. Southern Plateau and Hills

11. Eastern Coastal Plains and Hills

12. Western Coastal Plains and Ghats

13. Gujarat Plains and Hills

14. Western Dry Region

15. Island Region

Meso Regions: National Capital Region and Bangalore Metropolitan Region

Micro Regions: In India micro regions have no official administrative governmental status. Usually
district is the micro region. Eg: Kamrup region in Assam, Nainital region in Uttarakhand, etc.

Micro – Minor Region: Administrative blocks in Delhi, Ajmer, Guwahati, Ujjain, etc.+

Sl. No. Region Area (sq.km) Type

1 National Capital Region 46, 208 Macro

2 Bengaluru Metropolitan Region 8,005 Meso

3 Mumbai Metropolitan Region 4,355 Meso

4 Kolkata Metropolitan Area 1,887 Meso

5 Chennai Metropolitan Area 1,189 Meso

NATIONAL CAPITAL KOLKATA METROPOLITAN

REGION (macro) AREA (meso)
Area: 46, 208 sq.km Area: 1886.67 sq.km

BENGALURU METROPOLITAN
REGION (meso)
Area: 8005 sq.km

MUMBAI METROPOLITAN CHENNAI

REGION (meso) METROPOLITAN AREA
Area: 4355 sq.km (meso)
Area: 1189 sq.km
1.3 CLASSIFICATION OF REGIONS: STAGES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1.3.1 Developed / development regions

Developed regions are naturally those which are having a high rate of accretion in goods and services
i.e., their share in the GDP of the country is relatively higher.

Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, etc.
contribute the maximum to the GDP of India.

1.3.2 Backward regions

There can be ‘backward or depressed’ regions in the developing as well as the developed economies.
Backward economies are thoroughly depressed regions.

Bimaru, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar, etc.

1.3.3 Neutral regions/ intermediate regions

Areas where further employment generation and income propagation is possible without congestion.
Source: https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846; http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-
regions.pdf and http://planningtank.com/planning-techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions

Gurgaon, Greater Noida, Naya Raipur, etc.

Developed Backward Neutral / intermediate

• One which has • Thoroughly depressed • New towns and

exploited its potentials
fully
• Lack of infrastructure
• Those which have a
high rate of accretion
of goods and services,
that is their share in
the GDP of the country
is relatively higher
• A region which has
removed bottlenecks &
speedbreakers of
development
region
facilities, adverse geo-
climatic conditions, low
investment rate, high
rate of growth of
population and low
levels of urbanization
and industrialisation
are the causes and
consequences of
backwardness
satellite belts promise
good prospects of
further development
because here further
employment
generation and and
income propagation is
possible without
congestion - Neutral
regions
• Islands of development
around a sea of
stagnation –

Intermediate regions
Source: https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846; http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-
regions.pdf and http://planningtank.com/planning-techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions

1.4 Classification of regions: activities

1.4.1 Mineral regions

Mineral regions which promise high growth rates but fails to do so due to some reason.

Bailadeela, Bastar District of Madhya Pradesh, Raniganj Jariya

1.4.2 Manufacturing regions and congested regions

Regions which become big manufacturing regions not because they have natural resources but because
of the infrastructure development, momentum of an early start, continued government support etc.

Kanpur, Varanasi, Mumbai-Pune, Bengalore, etc.

1.4.3 Cultural region

Regions that are demarcated on the basis of language and culture primarily.

Bodo Territorial Districts, North Cachar Hills District, the Karbi-Anglong District, Khasi Hills District,
Jaintia Hills District, etc.
Source: https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846; http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-
regions.pdf and http://planningtank.com/planning-techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions

Mineral Manufacturing Cultural

• As the mines continue • Some regions become • Demarcation

to yield sufficient
minerals and the costs
are not prohibitive, not
only the mineral
producing region
develops, but it helps
other regions also to
• When all thresholds of
develop
• Regional planning will
require a lon term plan
for developing such
regions after extraction
manufacturing regions not based on culture
because they have natural
• A rich cultured
resources but because of the
region should be
infrastructure development,
rich in economic
momentum of an early start,
terms also
govt. support, etc
• In India, the
various states are
development are crossed,
demarcated on
such regions become too
the basis of
congested - reduction in
language and
quality of life will be the
culture primarily
result
is no longer a
profitable activity
2 DELINEATION OF A CITY-REGION

National Resources Committee in 1935 wrote "Regional planning, should, in the main, confine itself to
dealing with the physical resources and equipment out of which socio-economic progress arises."

By this definition, regional planning has two main foci of interest: physical resources and their
development.

For a City-Region, the delineation always depends on the development objectives i.e. Socio- economic
development and Environmental Conservation

2.1 VARIABLES FOR DELINEATION

Delineation of the Region of a City: Variables

2.1.1 Formal region:

 Land use characteristics

 Demographic characteristics
 Transport infrastructure
 Social service and public utilities
 Socio-economic structures

2.1.2 Functional region:

 Dominance
 Cluster of services and
 Hierarchical level of the city including levels below it

2.2 DELINEATION OF THE REGION OF A CITY: FLOWS

2.2.1 People: passenger traffic

 Floating population
 Labour supply
 Cultural affinity: shopping, major recreational, etc.
2.2.2 Goods: volume of goods traffic

 Supply of raw materials

 Sale of finished goods
 Supply of perishable goods like vegetables, milk, egg, meat, etc.

2.2.3 Finance: banking facilities

 Services and Utilities: Supply and management of services such as water supply, waste water and
solid waste treatment with focus on recycling and re‐use. Drainage channels, irrigation channels,
power house etc.
 Information: location of institutes, movement of students and scholars, Telephone calls etc.

2.2.4 Others:

 Contiguity of areas
 Integrated development
 Adjustment of boundaries with other planning areas
 Manageable size of the region from planning point of view

2.3 Delineation of the Region of a City: Suitability of Region

2.3.1 Environment & land suitability

 Soil cover & fertility

 Topography, Geology, Geomorphology, Lithology & Drainage
 Surface water body & Ground water table,
 Green & forest cover
 Buffer areas
 Agriculture cover and intensity of production
 Hazardous zone
 Other environmentally sensitive areas
2.4 Inter-dependence/linkages and impacts

Regions are delineated based on functional linkages and interdependence with the city.

According to the hierarchy of settlements, larger urban areas serve smaller urban areas which serve
rural areas surrounding it.

2.5 Delineation of the Region of a City: Socio- economic

2.5.1 Demographic, quality of life

Population growth rate: percentage increase in population

2.5.2 Urbanism

Percentage of urban population to total population

Migration: number of persons migrating to nodal point,

2.5.3 Density

Population per Ha

Aspect of literacy

Other socio economic aspects

2.5.4 Economic

• Local economic activity

• Wholesale trade,

• Major existing developments

Large investment proposals for developments

Workers: Percentage of non‐agricultural workers to total workers

Land ownership and land uses

2.6 Delineation of the region of a city- methods

Weighted Index Number Flow Analysis Gravitational

Method Analysis

Determines a homogeneous Identifies the direction and intensity of Identifies the

region within certain flows and builds up functional relationship potential flows
variations/ deviation limits. between the dominant center and the rather than the
surrounding satellite towns. actual flows.
For example, region based on
Mathematically
literacy having specific mean The flows can be plotted on linear graphs
represented as:
literacy rate with not more from which following information can be
than one standard deviation. obtained: Tij = pipj

The approach used in this • Most intense (Primary) and less ____________
method is: intense (Secondary) flows into and
d2ij
out of each center
• Identification of the
Tij = Gravitational
criteria such as literacy • Hierarchy of nodes providing the
force between
rate, watershed, form and extent of functional
towns i and j
contours etc. relationships within an area.
Pi and Pj = Masses
• Determination of The flow analysis involves grouping
of the two centers
weights to the together of local units which displays a
(population,
respective criteria considerable degree of inter dependence.
employment,
Intensity of flow decreases as the distance
• Determination of income etc.)
between the two centers increases.
homogeneity limits
dij = distance (km,
such as standard
time, price etc.)
deviation.
2.7 Delineation of a Planning Region: Process

• Profiling the region

Identification and mapping of influence zone around corridors, nodes, priority areas and counter
magnets for future development.

• Land Suitability for development purpose (detail out)

• Analysis of Potentials and opportunities (based on available resources)

• Policies and plans

Policies in relation to land‐use, economic development, transportation, administration, law and

order.

Planning for housing and shelter development, regional infrastructure linkages while ensuring
protection of environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas, sustainable development of
resources and conservation of heritage.

• Spatial investment plans

• Institutional framework for plan:

Putting forth a governance mechanism including roles and responsibilities of various

stakeholders, fund flow for development, monitoring systems and social audits.
3 References

 Oxford English Dictionary

 Tewdwr-Jones, McNeill, 2000
 Chris Mayda, A Regional Geography of The United States and Canada, 2012
 United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO, 2004
 P. Mondal, 2013
 Lewis Mumford, The Culture of Cities,1938
 S. Rengasamy. Regional Planning & Development. Madurai Institute of Social Sciences
 http://planningtank.com/planning-techniques/delineation-of-formal-regions
 https://www.texasgateway.org/node/10846;
http://isite.lps.org/abargen/web/documents/week2-regions.pdf
 URDPFI Guidelines 2014