MA-SEM II ( CC- 5 Regional Planning & Development Unit –I)

Methods of Delination of
Regions or Planning
Regions
Dr. Supriya
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography
Patna University, Patna
Mob: 9006640841
Email: supriyavatsa52256@gmail.com

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 contents
 Introduction: Region &  Learning Objectives: Aims to
Regionalization; achieve understanding among
 Concept of Planning & students -
Planning Regions - Able to differentiate between
 Methods of Delineation of Region, Planning regions and
Region regionalization;
 Method of deliniation of Formal - Able to learn different techniques
region of regional demarcation
 Method of deliniation of Formal  Learning Outcomes: After
regions
completing the lesson students will
 Method of delineation of Planning able to –
regions
• Explain different methods of
 Model Questions delineation of planning regions
 References • Demarcate regions for different
purposes with techniques of
regionalization

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. .

Introduction
 Regionalisation is the process of delineating regions. In other words we can define
regionalisation as the locating of boundaries of a region.
 A region is an area on Earth's surface marked by a degree of formal, functional, or
perceptual homogeneity of some phenomenon. All regions in one way or the other ,
the level of development.
 Regionalisation may take several forms depending on;
i. The purpose of delineating regions.
ii. The criterion/criteria to be used during delineation e.g. land size, employment
rates, activity rates, migration trends etc.
iii. Data availability Regions can be delineated as; 1.Formal regions 2.Functional
regions 3.Planning/Programming regions
 International Geographical Conference distinguished principal categories of regions
delineated on the basis of different purposes.
 1. Regions- areal units, including statistical areas (the basic tool for research)
 2. Regions-tools for action (organizational, e.g. administrative or planning regions)
 3. Regions- the goal and results of research i.e. objectively really existing regions
which should be studied and delineated.
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 Concept of Planning & Planning Regions
 Planning means looking ahead and chalking out future courses of action to be followed. It is a
preparatory step and systematic activity which determines when, how and who is going to perform a
specific job. Planning is a detailed programme regarding future courses of action.
 It is rightly said “Well plan is half done”. Therefore planning takes into consideration available &
prospective human and physical resources of the organization so as to get effective co-ordination,
contribution & perfect adjustment. It is the basic management function which includes formulation of
one or more detailed plans to achieve optimum balance of needs or demands with the available resources.
 What is a Planning Region?
 A planning region is a segment of territory over which economic decisions apply. The term planning
here means taking decisions to implement them in order to attain economic development.
 Planning regions may be administrative or political regions such as state, district or the block because
such regions are better in management and collecting statistical data. Hence, the entire country is a
planning region for national plans, state is the planning region for state plans and districts or blocks are
the planning regions for micro regional plans.
 For proper implementation and realization of plan objectives, a planning region should have fairly
homogeneous economic, topographical and socio-cultural structure.
 It should be large enough to contain a range of resources provide it economic viability.
 It should also internally cohesive and geographically a contagion area unit.
 Its resource endowment should be that a satisfactory level of product combination consumption and
exchange is feasible.
 It should have some nodal points to regulate
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 Methods of Delineation of Region
• Regional delineation is the first step in the preparation of any regional
development plan to ensure tentative operational area of planning. within the
planning region the frame of all regional studies could be undertaken and
development envisaged .

Methods of Delineation of Formal Region

• 1. Weighted index number methods
• i. Mono Variate Method
• ii. Fixed Index Method
• iii. Variable Index Method
• iv. Cluster Method
• 2. Factor analysis methods
Methods of Delineation of
Functional Region
• 1. Flow Analysis
• 2.Gravitational Analysis
Methods Methods of Delineation of Planning Regions
• 1. Theissen Polygon Method
• 2. Distance Minimization Method
• 3. Discrimination Analysis Method
• 4. Graph Theory Method
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 Methods for Delineation of formal regions
 Delineation of formal regions involves the grouping together of local units which
have similar characteristics according to certain clearly defined criteria and which
differ significantly from the units outside the region on the basis of certain chosen
criteria.
 The criteria can be unemployment rates, activity rate, migration trends, per capita
income etc.
 The characteristics should differ significantly from units outside the region.
 The delineation depend on the development objectives.
 Variables for delineation of formal region (homogeneous):
Land use characteristics Demographic characteristics; Transport infrastructure; Social
service and public utilities; Socio-economic structures.
 There are two techniques for delineation of formal regions are detailed below:
1. Weighted Index Number Methods
2. Factor Analysis Method
1. Weighted Index Number Methods: In this method, some indices (parameters) are
chosen and given weights, total weights for each part is separately calculated and
areas with similar weights are carved out. This area is termed as ‘region’.
Example: For identifying employment & income level delineation The study area is divided into several localities
varying according to unemployment rates and per capita income levels. The aim is to isolate the main problem
region; i.e. the area of economic malaise. Weights are assigned to each criteria and when taken together and
weighted, one of the region can be isolated.
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 Methods for Delineation of formal regions
If more than one feature is taken into consideration, the following methods are employed: Fixed
Index Method; Variable Index Method; & Cluster Method. This methods is considered as Weight age
Index method outlined by Boudeville.
The aim is to isolate the main problem region; i.e. the area of economic malaise. Weights are
assigned to each criteria and when taken together and weighted, one of the region can be isolated.

i. Fixed Index Method: Under the fixed index method, a common characteristic feature is
chosen, i.e., per capita income, percentage of literacy, etc. In this method we should weight the
each variable and after that mean value is calculated.

ii. Variable Index Method: Under the variable index method, variable weights are attached to
highlight different levels of activities in different regions. Similarly, you can use this method
for employment & income level delineation. The study area is divided into several localities
varying according to unemployment rates and per capita income levels.

iii. Cluster Method: The cluster method is employed to identify homogenous regions. The cluster
are mapped with the help of mapping techniques whereas inter-related variables are mapped
with the help of superimposed techniques. The composite ranking of areas is used when the
variables are too many and have weak relations.
 Economists and geographers such as Ashok Mitra, Schwartzberg, M.J. Hagood and M.N. Pal
popularised different methods to delineate regions. Whether its not possible to compare between
two features, Multivarriate superimposition is done.
 Ex. Political Boundary, Steel & food

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 Methods for Delineation of formal regions
2. The Factor Analysis method: In this method, each parameter is mapped out
separately and then all the maps are kept one over the other. The common region that
will be carved out after this exercise will form a region.
Smith used this method for delineating economic-health regions. Smith identified 14
industrial criteria on a local employment exchange area base and 14 socio-economic criteria
on a local authority base. Many of these criteria are interdependent. The factor analysis
method can be used to isolate these factors and to group areas on the basis of factor
loadings. Smith identified ‘industrial change’ and industrial structure’ as major
industrial factors, and ‘population change’ and ‘social structure’ as major socio-economic
factors. These factors help in delineating economic health regions.

Example: To carve out South Eastern

Mineral Region. The parameters considered
were geology, minerals (coal, iron ore,
bauxite, silica), availability of rail, soil,
vegetation, climate, and population. Each line
depicts an aspect and is called girdle.
The area which satisfied 6 girdles was carved
out and was called the SE resource region.
Sometimes some parts of the delineated area
have administrative conflicts at those
moments, adjustment is done on the basis of
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 Methods of delineation of functional region
There are two methods popular in Functional Region Delineation
1. Flow Analysis
2. Gravitational Analysis Method
1. Flow Analysis Method (based on actual observation )
• Flow analysis builds up functional regions on the basis of the direction and intensity of flows
between the dominant centre and surrounding satellites. Each flow will show decreasing
intensity as it becomes more distant from the main centre and increasing intensity as it
approaches another centre. The boundary of the sphere of influence of the dominant centre
will be where the flow intensity at a minimum. When the flow significantly drops that means
interaction/origin’s influence drops. In terms of distance, in a particular direction, there is the
influence of the node and there onwards it drops. This gives cut off points. Tentative
delineation is done.
• In the flow analysis, the processional regions are demarcated based on the direction and
intensity of flow between the principal center and the sub-cities around it. The flow decreases
according to the distance from the principal center and the effect increases as it approaches
the other center. Where the flow intensity around the principal center is minimal, there is a
limit to the circumference of the effect of that center. This flow can be of any kind,
economic, objective, social and political etc. Goods, passengers, roads and railways under
economic influence; Purposeful flows include buying, exchanging, etc.; The social flow
includes the flow of students or patients, the political flow includes the flow of government
expenditure, the information system (telegram, newspapers etc.).
• Functional territories are also demarcated on the basis of bus service, Graph theory is the
transformed form of flow analysis
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method of demarcation of functional territories. Page 9
 2. Gravitational Analysis Method: The basis of the origin of gravity analysis lies in
Newton's theory. It is based on the possible value of human interaction.
• It is generally assumed that the interaction between two centers is in direct proportion to the
mass of the centers and is inversely proportional to the distance between the centers.
• Simple Gravity Model Interaction, Between Two Centers Directly Proportional to the Mass
of the Sentence and Inversely Proportional to the Distance Between the Center.
• Samuel Stauffer tested this theory in a study of the spatial, habitat dynamics of Cleveland
Ohio towns in the United States. They concluded that the number of moving families up to
a certain distance was inversely proportional to the opportunities received at that distance
and the number of times they received to reside in the same value-neighborhood of
intermediate vacant houses.
• Newton used the following formula for the law of gravity.
Fij = k * m1M2 / √d1d2
This model can be used to evaluate the geo-differential action as follows:
Fij = a * PiPj / √didj`b
In which both Pi and Pj represent the population of the ij center or an element of
attraction, d is the distance between the two centers i and j above, a is an approximate
standard constant and b is the distance. The value of b is assumed to be 2.0 in the
fundamental gravity model.
• For example, if two cities A and B each have a population of 1000, are located at a
distance of 10 kilometers, and Free
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the entire interaction will be calculated as follows :ij= 1* 1000*1000/10*10=10000 unit
 Methods of delineation of Planning region
 Planning is the significant basic basis for the demarcation of territories. Direct relations with
the purpose of statement or identity, the type of territories and the deadlines. In this context,
the important demarcation base can be placed in the following basis:
1. On the basis of Objectives: The demarcation of planning territories is affected by the
individual properties. The purpose of planning is different from the person to the person. By
nature, no specified planning state is able to simultaneously reveal the objectives created by
the overall possibilities and difficulties present in its border. For example, the demarcation of
separate planning regions for special purposes like- Agriculture Planning regions,
Industrial Planning regions, urban Planning regions, Resource-planning Regions etc.
2. On the basis of Function: The type of territories formed varies according to the objective
inspired elemental or functional characteristics. In the identification of the common sections
of the country, mention is made of the specific, morphological, functional, natural-
geographical, nodal-rout regions. The basis of identification of all types of regions is
basically inspired by symmetry, road confluence and administrative policy.
 In the context of planning, special importance can be taken of the morphological (elemental
symmetry) and species-oriented regions. The elemental or functional region is identified on
the basis of symmetry in the combined properties of a specific geographical element or group
of elements. The demarcation of such a state proves to be relevant at a stage when elemental
differences are important in regional matters at the regional level.
 The basis of the identification of a climatic region is based on the state of functional spatial
configuration. Under this state, functional interrelationship and interdependence have special
importance. For this reason its strategic context can be considered relatively high
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 Methods of delineation of Planning region

Planning
Regions

QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIV
METHODS E METHODS

Geographical Functional
Elements Elements
(Mono (Complex
Distribution) Distribution)

Multivariate
Concentration Index Deviation index Bivariate Functional
Functional
Measurement Measurement Association Index
Association Index

* Percentage Ratio Mapping

Percentage Ratio techniques Multi variate
Scale Standard deviation analysis
* Location Quotient Method
* Methods Composite Index
*Rank Correlation
method
*Regression analysis
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 Methods of delineation of Planning region
• There are many methods popularize for delimitation of planning region. They are broadly
classified in two groups:
I. Qualitative Techniques: In this method, specific regions are identified according to the
generali revie of the development of particular geographical (physical, economic,
socio-cultural) variables in the context of regional unit within the boundary of a large
national territory. Planning regions can be identified on the basis of primacy or
differentiation of diverse properties of agricultural, industrial, population, resources,.
 In this context, the use of maps related to various elements is relevant. The
material economic socio-cultural information available to any nation and the national
boundary reflects the essential quality of equal diversity or elemental inequality, on the
basis of which the boundaries of special planning regions can be determined.
 The method is simple and subjective in nature. Naturally, it lacks the mathematical
basis and merits of arbitrariness and lack of faith in its utility. This method allows
greater flexibility in the boundaries of the planned territories.
II. Quantitative Techniques: It includes Index calculation based on mathematical and
statistical techniques and the corresponding delimitation above the comparative map.
The use of more sophisticated mathematical and statistical techniques has been
popularise in quantitative methods. In this context, Peter Hagat has mentioned four
methods of delimitation of planning region for the single functional regional element.
1. Theissen Polygon Method 2. Distance Minimization Method
3. Discrimination Analysis Method 4. Graph
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1.Thiessen Polygon Method: The Thiessen polygon method
was used by Bogue in 1949, to demarcate 67 metropolitan
territories in the United States. The construction of polygons
done in four steps-
1). The connecting lines are drawn from the each adjacent center
to another nearest center.
2). The midpoints of the lines draw from bisection lines
connecting to the centers.
3). From the middle point, a vertical line is drawn on which the
line is a ground of polygons. Similarly, lines are drawn from
other midpoints.
4). Units located across the boundary lines are included within
the boundary of that center. In which more than half the area
of ​that unit is located.
In fact, the demarcation of the planning regions by the Thiessen
polygon method depends on two assumptions:
1. An area within the intersecting boundary lines of a polygon is
closer to the center bound within that polygon of some other
center.
2. A metropolis is dominant over all the area. In 1963, Kopek
had described another method of constructing polygons in
which the lines are drawn between the intersecting points
intersecting the arcs by drawing the arcs of the same radius
circles from the adjacent points. These lines are the
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2. Distance Minimization Method: In this method minimizing the distance by the cost of
transportation for transporting an object from its various sources to several destinations or
transporting it from the destination to the source has to be minimized. In 1963, Yeats
conducted his experiments on 2900 students attending 13 high schools in Wisconsin State
Grand County. The optimum limit of school areas was determined in such a way so that-
 1) The total distance of the schools was minimized and
 2) Each school was filled to its full potential.
This method was also used to solve rural school students and the school bus problem in the
Somerset region of Britain. Garrison has also used this method to reduce the cost of
distribution of petroleum products, even in terms of industrial location.
3. Discrimination Analysis Method: The discriminate analysis method is a method of
determining the boundaries of regions of geographical distribution. In this method, the two
modes of distribution events Z and N have their four groups in the model. The more complex
polynomial lines that divide the regions into the mean and n when the distribution is
superimposed are calculated. Polynomial lines of simple first class appear to be simple lines,
then increasing complexity. Sixth-grade polynomial lines are complex. Complex lines make the
mean and n distributions a pure classification. Between these two are secondary solutions,
whose second-tier polygon lines are sufficiently pure.
4. Graph Theory Method: Graph theory was used in 1961 by Nistuen and Deci in demarcation
of planning territories. By this method, the ability of territorial bonding is determined. This
method is useful for territorial demarcation for meeting both administrative and industrial-trade
requirements. Transport nets and regional structure are analyzed by this method. With this,
their territorial hierarchy is determined after knowing the amount of their association with the
towns in an area. The cities inside the graph are considered to be the end points. The order of
the city is measured by the flow within it (by the number of telephone conversations).
Hierarchical relationships between cities are determined by the most outgoing flow from cities
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 conclusion
 By using above methods, it is possible to demarcate the core and external
(boundary) areas of any regions. The demarcation of planning regions
essentially involves the process of proximate grouping of regional units.

 In this direction, two methods are used in regionalisation.

1. Diffusion Analysis method
2. Correlation and Regional- Grouping/ Analysis method.
 In fact, the importance of quantitative methods in demarcation of planning
regions is becoming so well accepted that in comparison with the
qualitative aspects of the specific aspects of the state, it can be done in the
real measurement context. For determining the boundaries of the planning
regions, the quantitative or controlled index reference point is controlled by
quantitative value.

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 Model Questions
Q1. Examine the methods of delimitation of formal & functional regions.
Q2.What is planning region? Discuss the different methods of deliniation of
planning regions.
Q3. Write short Notes on them:
i. Qualitative & Quantitative methods of delineation of Planning region
ii. Flow Analysis & Gravitational Analysis
iii. Weighted Index Method & Factor Analysis Method
iv. Theissen Polygon Method & Graph Method
v. Distance Minimization Method & Discrimination Analysis Method
Q4. Make a list of methods used in delineation of different purposes of
planning and regionalisation of India:- physiographic regions, industrial
regions, agro climatic regions; crop combination regions; etc..

Contact me:
Mob/ Whats app: 9006640841
Emai:supriyavatsa52256@gmail.com
Webpage: http://bhuvankosh.com
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References
 Mahesh Chand, V.K. Puri:Regional planning in India
 R. P. Mishra Regional Planning: Concepts, Techniques, Policies and Case
Studies
 S. Adhikari: Fundamentals of Geographical thought
 R.C. Chandna: Regional planning and Development
 Dube & Singh: Pradeshik Niyojan Avam Vikas
 Jayasri Ray Chaudhuri: An Introduction to Development and Regional
Planning
 http://gis.cs.cardiff.ac.uk/content/vernacular-geography-0
 [Scheetz, George H.] "Whence Siouxland?" Book Remarks [Sioux City Public
Library], May 1991

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