Education for regional planning in developing countries

Abstract

Friedmann J. (1968) Education for regional planning in developing countries, Reg. Studies 2, 131–138. There is a growing world-wide demand for planners able to exercise a technical competence in promoting the development of regional subsystems of national economies. A model of planning activities is presented in which regional is joined with national development planning. Technical Analysis is an important aspect of all the planning activities identified. Types of analysis are described in detail for two levels of integration: national and regional. Two types of planning skills are then derived from this model: those of regional planners and of regional planning specialists. The former have an intellectual basis in regional economics and quantitative geography; the latter come from a variety of contributing fields. Both types of analysts, however, must be able to think in planning terms and to work effectively within a planning process. A model curriculum is proposed for regional planners which is grouped into three subject sequences and comprises a parent discipline (economics), regional science, and regional planning proper. Alternative course combinations are suggested, and a number of clarifying questions answered. In an appendix, the principal courses are described.