The development of four main "city regions" will become a reality for Scotland within the next few years, according to a planning expert at the University of Dundee.
Greg Lloyd, Head of the University's School of Town and Regional Planning believes that four new planning policy regions will be created to take in each "journey- to-work hinterland" around Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Each region would be subject to strategic planning measures with the aim of improving its environment and economy and reducing social exclusion.
The issue will be addressed at the Planning Research Conference 2002 which takes place at the University between April 8 and 10. The Conference follows a Scottish Executive consultation paper - the Review of Strategic Planning - published last year, which suggested that Scotland would benefit from the creation of city regions based around its four main cities.
Professor Lloyd said, "The consultation paper re-invoked the idea of city regions and since their development would not involve issues such as local government reorganisation nor any change to local government finance it is likely they will become a reality."
"However, the issue remains a sensitive one, since there might be areas in Scotland which would be reluctant to be drawn into a main region surrounding its nearest major city.
"In the Dundee context there is considerable interest in the relationship of the city to its hinterland. It is clear that Dundee is the regional centre for many activities, such as retailing, arts and culture. A city region, taking in perhaps St Andrews, Cupar, Perth and Arbroath, would create stronger links and integrate the city's functional housing and labour markets more effectively to decision making for the whole area.
"These issues make the conference a very timely event, and Dundee will be able to contribute to a much wider audience and understanding of good planning practice."
Professor Lloyd will be available for photographs and interview at 2.10pm on Monday April 8, Tower Conference Suite, Tower Building, University of Dundee.
Ends
Professor Llyod can be contacted at the University of Dundee on 01382 345323.
Note for Editors:
The Planning Research Conference 2002, held at the University's Tower
Building, will be addressed by four speakers including Professor Sir Peter
Hall, the UK's most eminent planning academic, who is based at
University College London. He will consider some of the emerging
challenges for planning and urban development.
Professor Duncan MacLennan from the University of Glasgow is currently managing the First Minister's Cities Review, and he will set out some of the principal challenges and opportunities for urban areas in Scotland.
Keith Winter of Dundee City Council's Planning and Transportation Department will consider the planning challenges for Dundee and Professor Paul Drewe of Delft University in the Netherlands will consider the urban regeneration agenda in Europe.
The conference is supported by the Dundee Partnership, Dundee City Council and the Royal Town Planning Institute.