Research for regional planning

Abstract

Wilson A. G. (1969) Research for regional planning, Reg. Studies 3, 3–14. Research helps us to understand patterns and processes associated with cities and regions, and includes research into the planning process itself. Thus, this paper concerns itself with the analysis of cities and regions on the one hand, and the process of planning on the other. It is argued that greater analytic capability can only be obtained by an extensive programme of research in many disciplines, and especially in multi-disciplinary teams. The present state of the art is described by reference to available models of city-regional systems. In the process it is shown that a number of concepts, such as those of systems analysis, which facilitate model development, cut across disciplinary boundaries. The planning process itself is concerned with policy and design and particular attention is paid in the paper to the combinatorial problems facing the designer. It is emphasized that the “gap” between researchers and planners will narrow as the increasing analytical capability and studies of the theory of design on the research side are focused on important planning problems, and as the new skills developing within the planning profession become more extensive.