SSR3033:

THEORIES &
TECHNIQUES OF
REGIONAL
PLANNING
1
LU1: Introduction to Regional Planning
 ASSESSMENT
Continuous Assessment (60%)

Regional Classification (20%)

Development Plan – 40%

Final Assessment (40%)

 Concept paper (20%)
 Reflection Report – 20%

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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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HOW MANY REGIONS CAN YOU SEE?
WHAT ARE YOUR CRITERIA FOR
SELECTING THE REGIONS?

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 JUSTIFICATION FOR
REGION IDENTIFICATION?
 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.9
 CATEGORIES AND TYPES OF
REGION
1. Formal, functional and perceptual regions
2. Multi-level planning classification of region
3. Economic development region
4. Activity region

Other important terms:

• Nodal region
• Planning region
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MULTI-LEVEL PLANNING AND
REGION CLASSIFICATION
SPECIFIC PLANNING
AREA
PLANNING
DISTRICT REGION

DIVISION

STATE

NATIONAL

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 ECONOMIC REGION
 Developed region
 Lagging region
 Neutral region

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 Eastern
Northern Corridor Corridor
Economic Region Economic
(NCER) Region
(ECER)
PERLIS

KEDAH

PULAU PINANG

Iskandar
Development Region
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(IDR)
NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Quick Facts:

•Investment – RM1.1 trillion

•Development Timeframe –
2007 –2030 (23 years)
•Agencies:
• NCER – NCIA
• ECER – ECERDC
• IDR – IRDA Sabah
Development
• SDC – SEDIA Corridor (SDC)

• SCORE - RECODA
Sarawak Corridor
of Renewable
Energy
(SCORE)
SARAWAK CORRIDOR OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY (SCORE)
Central Region Samalaju
Heavy and Energy
70,708 sq km (56.8%)
Intensive Industries
862,100 persons

Mukah
Tanjung Manis Services Hub, R&D
Halal Park, Ship Building and Human Capital Baram
and Resource-based Oil Palm+Timber+
industries Tourism

Tunoh
Oil Palm+Timber +
Tourism
NEW REGIONAL INITIATIVES IN SARAWAK

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ACTIVITY REGION
 Agricultural region
 Mining region
 Industrial region
 Others?

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 PLANNING
REGION
Q1.What is the difference between region
and planning region?
Q2. Why do we need planning?
Q3. What is ‘planning’?
EXAMPLES OF REGIONAL
PLANNING
 Relocation of Indonesian Capital to Borneo
 State Structure Plan (e.g. Johor, Selangor)
 Sri Aman Master Plan 2020-2030
 Betong Master Plan 2020-2030

 In order to achieve the above, we need ‘planning region’

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PLANNING REGION:
 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
 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,
types:
Elements:
• Formal Region
 Relative homogeneity • Functional Region
 Uniqueness, • Perceptual Region
distinctiveness & • Planning Region
identification
views:
 Blurred boundaries
• 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
 Haughton, G., & Counsell, D. (2004). Regions and sustainable development:
regional planning matters. Geographical Journal, 170(2), 135-145.
 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/)