29/July/25 Geography Foundation

Regional Planning & Development

Lecture-1

Concept of Regions in Geography

Primary Objective of Geography

● Study of Earth’s Surface

○ Examination of the Earth’s surface and its diversities.
○ Comparison of how features are the same or different across places.
● Relation to Human Activity
○ All physical diversities in relation to human activities and their
consequences.

Four Key Themes in Geographic Study

1. Diversity of Surface Features 2. Uniqueness and Comparison of

○ e.g., forests, rivers, Places
mountains, plains, coasts. ○ Identifying how one area
(e.g., deserts) differs from
another (e.g., riverine
regions)

3. Human–Environment Interaction 4. Consequences of Interaction

○ How agriculture, settlement, ○ Urbanization and
transport, etc., adapt to and development
modify physical landscapes. ○ Resource use and
exhaustion
○ Regional disparities and
conflict

Need for a Framework

● Impossibility of Studying the Entire Earth at Once

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○ Given the enormity of physical diversities and variations in human

interaction, a holistic study without structure is unfeasible.
● Regions as Organizing Frameworks
○ Provide manageable “segments of space” for focused study.
○ Allow comparative analysis within and across defined areas.

Definition of a Region

● Region is a Fundamental Unit- a segment or part of the Earth’s surface used as

the basic framework for geographic inquiry, regions therefore organize
geographical studies

Types of Regions

1. Natural Regions
○ Defined by physical features (e.g., mountain areas bounded by mountain
ranges; plains).
2. Man-made (Political) Regions
○ Agreed human boundaries (e.g., India with the McMahon Line).
3. Human/Cultural Regions
○ Defined by socio-economic or cultural characteristics (e.g., the National
Capital Territory of Delhi).

Debates and Evolution of the Region Concept

● Scope of Regions
○ Some view regions purely in physical terms, excluding human aspects.
○ Others emphasize human–environment systems, seeking laws or
positivist descriptions.
● Uniqueness to Geography
○ The concept of regions distinguishes geography from other disciplines.
○ Ongoing debate reflects the centrality of regions as the “crux” of
geographic thought.

Application: Regional Planning and Development

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● Necessity in Planning
○ Development strategies must account for region-specific problems (e.g.,
drought-prone vs. flood-prone areas).
○ Uniform national planning without regional differentiation is ineffective.
● Examples of Regional Planning Units
○ Hill-area plans, island-area plans, forest-tribal area plans, Western Ghats
region plan.

Evolution of the Concept of Regions

Antiquity and Early Conceptualization

● The idea of dividing the Earth into regions predates geography as a formal
discipline.
● Ancient Greeks and Romans engaged in regional studies:
○ Hecataeus and Strabo mapped and described distinct areas of the
known world.

Pre-Modern Debates on Geography

● In the 17th century, Varenius argued for a “special geography” focused on the
variations of places, implying an early regional approach.
● The notion that the Earth could be partitioned into meaningful regions was
already widely accepted before geography became a distinct academic subject in
the 19th century.

Formalization in Modern Geography

● 19th-century scholars such as Humboldt and Ritter established geography as a

formal discipline but inherited the regional framework.
● Debates around the nature of regions emerged in:
○ Kant’s Chorology, emphasizing the classification of places.
○ Hartshorne’s Areal Differentiation, focusing on what makes one area
distinct from another.

Humanistic Turn and Regional Identity

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● With the humanistic revolution in geography, the concept of region became more
inclusive, encompassing:
○ Natural landscapes
○ Human activities
○ Cultural perceptions and emotions tied to place
● This gave rise to the idea of regional identity—the subjective sense of belonging
or consciousness associated with a region (e.g., attachment to one’s home
state).

Administrative Framework to Emotional Identity: The Indian Example

● The division of India into states began as a purely administrative framework to

facilitate governance.
● State boundaries were originally malleable, adjusted to optimize administration.
● Over time, these administrative regions acquired an emotional and
identity-forming dimension, with people developing strong regional
consciousness linked to state boundaries.

Nature of Regions

Defining Characteristics of Regions

● A region is a portion of space or area that exhibits some form of homogeneity in

terms of natural, cultural, economic, or political features.
● It serves as the basic unit for spatial analysis in geography.

Variability in Nature

Regions vary in form, function, and scale, and can be:

● Natural – based on physical geography (e.g., river basins, mountain ranges).

● Political/Administrative – defined by laws or governance (e.g., states, districts).
● Functional – organized around a node or center that performs key functions (e.g.,
metropolitan region, industrial belt).
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● Perceptual – based on human feelings, perceptions, or identity (e.g., “the South”

in the U.S., or “Marathwada” in Maharashtra).

Nature as a Framework vs. Fixed Entity

● A region is a tool or framework of analysis, not a fixed or permanent unit.

● Its boundaries can shift depending on purpose and context:
Example:
○ Maharashtra may be a single region for political analysis.
○ But it may be subdivided into Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Konkan for
cultural or developmental studies.

Homogeneity and Internal Variation

● While regions are often described as homogeneous, this does not mean absolute
uniformity.
● Internal diversity exists within most regions.
E.g., even within Konkan, there are differences in coastal versus inland areas.

Purpose-Oriented Definition

● The definition and boundaries of a region depend on the objective of the study:
○ For planning: Regions are drawn based on developmental needs.
○ For cultural analysis: Based on ethnic, linguistic, or historical factors.
○ For physical geography: Based on topography, climate, or vegetation.

Types of Regions

1. Formal Region

Definition:
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● A formal region is an area that exhibits uniformity in certain selected criteria such
as language, culture, ethnicity, or physical features.

Characteristics:

● Homogeneous in nature.
● Defined by a common attribute that is uniformly distributed throughout the area.

Examples-

● Maharashtra as a formal region: When defined by Marathi-speaking population,

Maharashtra represents a formal region due to linguistic commonality.
● India as a formal region: When viewed in terms of shared history, race, or
language, India represents a formal region.

2. Nodal Region (Functional Region)

Definition:

● A nodal region is an area that is organized around a central node or focal point.
● The region exists due to interdependent relationships, flow systems, or functions
that converge at the central node.

Characteristics:

● Held together by a central functional point.

● Based on interaction, dependency, and functional linkage rather than similarity.

Examples-

● Mumbai Port and its hinterland:

○ Region served by the port through the import, distribution, and export of
raw materials.
○ Mumbai is the central node; removal of it would lead to collapse of the
entire region.
● Delhi NCR region:
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○ Areas around Delhi are functionally linked by commuting, labor migration,

market linkages, and administrative planning.
○ Delhi acts as the central planning and economic node.

● Maharashtra as a nodal region:When seen as a region administratively held

together by Mumbai’s Vidhan Sabha and state-level governance.

● India as a nodal region:When viewed through the lens of Parliament, central law
institutions, and functional dependencies across states.

Overlapping Nature of Regions

Regions Can Be Both Formal and Nodal

● A single region may qualify as both formal and nodal, depending on how it is
studied.

Illustrations:

● Maharashtra:
○ Formal: Linguistic uniformity (Marathi).
○ Nodal: Political and administrative control from Mumbai.
● India:
○ Formal: Common history, race, language.
○ Nodal: Functional centrality via Parliament and law.
● States of India:
○ Formal: Based on linguistic reorganization.
○ Nodal: Due to centralized administration.

Conclusion
● Regions are essential constructs in geography because they help organize space
meaningfully.
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● Depending on the criteria and lens of analysis, a region may be classified as

formal, nodal, or both.
● The distinction lies in whether the focus is on similarities (formal) or functional
relationships (nodal).

Types of Regions

A. Formal Regions

● Uniform in one or more physical or cultural traits

● Examples: Climatic zones, linguistic regions, physiographic regions

B. Functional Regions

● Defined by a central function or node

● Examples: Metropolitan area, command area of a dam, NCR

C. Vernacular (Perceptual) Regions

● Based on people’s perception

● Examples: “South India”, “North-East”, “Hindi Belt”

D. Planning Regions (Programming Regions)

● Specifically demarcated to achieve developmental goals

● Example: DVC region, NCR Planning Region, Western Ghats Ecological Region

Descriptive vs Planning Regions

Feature Descriptive Region Planning Region

Objective Appreciate diversity Achieve development

Method Observe and describe Manipulate and intervene

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existing features

Examples Forest region, climatic Backward region plan, port

region development

Output Regional profiles Actionable planning

documents

Characteristics of a Good Planning Region

1. Well-defined boundaries

● No disputes, stable jurisdiction

● Example: US–Canada boundary aiding development

2. Unified decision-making system

● Avoids duplication and contradiction

● Example: Problems in Gurugram (Delhi-Haryana) and Chandigarh
(Punjab-Haryana)

3. Internal homogeneity

● Some unifying cultural, linguistic, or ecological trait

● Example: Western Ghats have same ecology but are split politically

4. Functional cohesion (Social Capital)

● Bonding among people: trust, shared values

● Example: Linguistic states in India ensured stronger local governance

5. Balanced size (not too big, not too small)

● Large enough for resources but manageable in administration

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● Debate: Should UP be split for better governance?

6. Complementary flow systems

● Integration of transport, markets, labor, and capital

● Example: NCR region planning includes multiple flow systems

Examples

Region Type Example

Linguistic Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (based on

language)

Planning NCR, Backward Area Development Plans

Ecological Western Ghats, Himalayan region

Cultural Tribal belts of Central India

Administrative State boundaries for governance

Regions are not merely physical demarcations. They are tools for understanding
diversity (descriptive) and platforms for action (planning). The success of regional
planning lies in how well it integrates natural endowments, social cohesion,
administrative unity, and purposeful manipulation of flow systems.

Planning Regions: Criteria and Characteristics

1. Concept of Planning Region

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A planning region refers to a demarcated area identified for the purpose of development
and planning. It is characterized by its functional unity, administrative convenience, and
developmental potential.

“The planning region must be large enough to have self-sufficiency for most
of the critical resources, but small enough for efficient administration and
grassroots participation, and for bonding social capital.”

2. Ideal Size of a Planning Region

❖ No Universal Size

There is no fixed or magic number that defines the appropriate size of a planning
region. Instead, its suitability is contextual and case-specific.

“The State must be large enough to provide basic resources — water, land,
energy, people — to be partly self-sufficient.”

Aspect Large State Small State

Pros Access to more resources; Easier administration;

potential for diverse stronger local identity
economies

Cons Diversity may hinder unity Lack of self-sufficiency

(e.g., Uttar Pradesh) (e.g., North-East India,
Lakshadweep)

● Example: Lakshadweep depends on Kerala for supplies — cannot be financially

autonomous.
● North-East India: multiple small states, none self-sufficient; tribal conflicts hinder
cooperation.
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● Uttar Pradesh: Rich in resources, but highly diverse — leading to internal

conflicts (e.g., Bundelkhand vs. Western UP).
● Karnataka: North-South divide exists (e.g., Bidar, Gulbarga vs. southern regions).

3. Interplay of Resources, Population, and Identity

A region must strike a balance between resource availability, population distribution,

and social cohesion.

● Russia: Large, but population clustered near Moscow/Volga — Siberia cannot

organize as a separate region.
● USA/China: Large with population concentrated in limited areas, easier to unify.
● India: Populations well dispersed → challenge for integration.

“A large country with good resources and a well-dispersed population is

difficult to unify.”

4. Subjectivity of Regional Effectiveness

The effectiveness of regional planning also varies within similar-sized regions:

● Successful bifurcations:
○ Madhya Pradesh → Chhattisgarh
○ Uttar Pradesh → Uttarakhand
● Less successful bifurcation:
○ Bihar → Jharkhand

Despite comparable size and resources, Jharkhand’s development lagged due to other
non-quantifiable factors

UPSC PYQs (Previous Year Questions)

● 2024:

Assess the criteria required for selecting regions for development planning.

● 2023:
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Describe the concept of planning regions and explain the environmental and
economic factors in the creation of such regions.

The concept of the “right size” of a planning region is highly subjective, depending on:

● Resource endowment
● Administrative capacity
● Population distribution
● Cultural cohesion

“The same population size can be a resource in one region and a limitation in
another.”
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