The Urban and Regional Economy Directing Land Use and Transportation Planning and Development

Abstract

This chapter locates the urban and regional economy in the context of integrated land use and transportation development planning. Dialogue departure points that constitute and represent the rural and urban interdependencies are explored. The discussion takes into account the scale, hierarchy and swing in land use and transportation theoretical and practical interventions regarding urban and regional economy contestations. On one level, the nature of urban and regional economy relations is unpacked (i.e. is it forward or backward; is it positive and or negative; is it parasitic or symbiotic, etc.). On another level, questions regarding the form, nature and extent of the urban and regional economy exchange systems are investigated (i.e. does this involve labour (skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled), resources (raw crops, raw fruits, minerals or processed products, or services, etc.). In addition, the nature and format of the urban and regional economy dependencies is addressed (is it a value chain activity, does it promote local economic development, empowerment or otherwise, etc.) between the continuum, noting the contribution and role that the urban and regional economy plays in state growth and development paths. The issues raised before are discussed in the context of understanding better how land use and transportation can be used in advancing the goals and objectives of urban and regional economies. Making use of case studies, reviewed from literature, key strands are isolated for policy options and intervention choices. Sustainable and integrated land use and transportation options are introduced and discussed as catalytic and fl agship measures for valorizing urban and regional economies.