What is Regional Planning? The term Regional Planning is used in a number of ways by people. Regional Planning, as used in Regional Planning Foundation.com involves more than highway and mass transit in transportation planning which many Regional Council of Governments focus on. It needs to include on a regional basis coverage of important residential, commercial, industrial, public and semi-public land uses for the various governmental bodies (central city, surrounding cities, towns, villages and unincorporated areas) which are included in the area served by the central city. It may involve more than one county serving more than 50,000 persons. Would you define it differently and for what reasons? Do you feel that there should be more freedom in defining Regional Planning? To comment on this blog go to http://regionalplanningblogs.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-is-regional-planning.html

Through this and many other blogs to follow, together we will learn more about Regional Planning and what it can and must offer if our cities and metropolitan regions are to achieve their potentials. Only then will our urban areas begin to be revitalized and vibrantly be in harmony in a strong green environment. Your comments in response through your blogs will be important to the future of our cities and metropolitan regions. To comment on this blog go to http://regionalplanningblogs.blogspot.com/2009/12/regional-planning-blogs.html

We have a unique opportunity as regional citizens (espousing not onlly our local area but the region that it is a part of) to make important things happen to better enjoy our urban environment. By closely working together on a region-wide basis, we can make good things happen. As Regional Citizens responding together, we cam do this, but it will take dedication. We have a great opportunity to become involved in reshaping our many diverse regions and nation’s future. I believe things can be changed–and improved–as exciting change can occur with collaboration. I’ve heard the statement made over and over again by many Americans that we can’t do anything to improve the city as a place to live in, claiming it’s too late. I don’t agree. I’m convinced without a doubt that it can be done if people work passionately to back proposed changes with all their hearts. Furthermore, as dedicated volunteers, we can achieve significant change by improving and making our regions more livable and beautiful from the neighborhood out. Each one of us can make a difference. By each of us helping and supporting each other by creating effective ideas and contributions (grass-roots involvememt, money and other commitmemts). Read REGION AROUSED and become a REGIONAL CITIZEN for your region

The past decades have witnesses the ebb and flow of the regionalization movement. Considered a good idea, regional planning has not caught on as rapidly as hoped. The idea of regional government has been apart of the problem since local areas resist losing their clout to a larger body. Only efforts like mass transit and regional transportation system tied to Federal money have been really successful with the creation of Regional Councils of Government to disburse funds sent from Washington, D.C.

The next few decades will witness rapid population growth in the 100 or more metropolitan regions already criss-crossing our nation as shown visually on the cover of my book REGION AROUSED. As a result of continued migration, the United States is expected to continue its rapid expansion across the country, buttressed by significant changes in age, race and needs. If we ignore the need to create better living, working and social environments soon, our way of life will decline significantly. What we do in the next few decades will be critical to future.