I am developing a course on "Regional and Rural Development Planning" to be taught at the graduate level. I will highly be obliged if you could advise on what important topics may be made the part of the course. Further, if someone could advise any book or online course.
What could be the macro and micro level development parameters for regional and rural development planning?
Thanking you in anticipation
Dear Sanaullah, in attachment you find presentation about document Spatial Planning principles. It is spatial planning document on regional level in the Czech Republic. The content of this document could be inspirative for you. Regards. Jiri
Dear Dr. Jiří Schneider,
I just finished having a quick review of the document you sent. Thank you so much for it. It really seems to be useful and interesting. It will help me. Thanks indeed !!
The number one topic should be on the subject of what the goals should be of this planning. For example, is it reasonable to take resources from the general taxpayer in order to subsidize the location of activities in areas where these activities would not otherwise locate? (This is the goal of most "development" planning in the US. To that end, we use subsidies such as tax abatement to encourage firms to locate where they should not.)
Alternatively, should the goal be to anticipate the need for public services to facilitate and accommodate new activities locating where they are most efficient? I think that the provision of sewer and water services (public health) and transportation services should be the primary objectives. These services should be priced so as to cover their costs so that this does not become a new arena for subsidies to pop up. There are other complementary activities one might want to consider as well. These other activities include education in the trades relevant to the needs of new firms.
Special interests will always be there to attempt to capture development efforts (funds). Regional politicians will argue that their region needs to get their share. Defenders of the poor will argue that incomes need to be equalized across regions not realizing that inequality will drive needed population movements.
It is very broad. Some points can be considered before starting this course.
Firstly, is it technical oriented? Topics of applied geography, planning techniques, GIS, transportation, infrastructure management, sustainable land use development, asset and facilities management, and economic development models can be introduced.
Secondly, is it social development oriented? Topics from social health, education, water and sanitation, environment management, NGOs, land management, community development
Or Thirdly policy oriented? Topics from project planning, good governance, community behaviors, public participation, planning implementation, finance management.
I would recommend mixture of all depending on what is needed in your country or what is title of your degree program.
Course list of postgraduate in MSc Community/Regional/Rural development Planning can be seen here.
http://www.uet.edu.pk/faculties/facultiesinfo/department?RID=graduate_program&id=7
Or
https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/graduate/2015-2016/gradprog/rpdprof-courses.shtml
Well, talking about rural development planning, I think the course should be started by giving the distinction between urban and rural areas, followed by the analysis of rural settlement patterns, and the social and cultural characteristics of rural communities. Towards the end the course should enable the students to understand the meaning of rural development, the concept, nature and scope of integrated rural development. Last but not least, the integration of functional and spatial aspects in the context of rural development, as well as the planning procedures for integrated rural development.
Since the course involves regional development, which is actually cross-discipline in nature, I suggest that the following topics to be included in the syllabus:
- macro and micro economics
- surveying and cartography
- statistics for planners
- sociology
- social and physical survey
- GIS & remote sensing
- political science and local government
- water & resources planning
- land economics
Many Thanks !!! Peter F. Colwell , Chee Hung Foo and Irfan Ahmad Rana for your contribution!!!
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