Regional Planning and Urban Hierarchy Framework

Relational System Infrastructure and Regional Plans

The relational system infrastructure and regional plans set out the proposed regional model, which will guide sectoral planning and the most relevant urban issues. The relational system components are:

• Integration with the outside: The insertion of shafts and territory networks at national and international levels is a constant concern for territorial plans.
• Interior joint plans: Proper articulation of the planned territory.
• Intermodal coordination: Territorial planning is the most appropriate framework to coordinate various modes of transport (road, rail, port, airport, etc.), which normally fall beyond the scope of individual sectoral planning.

Regional Economic Systems and Territorial Models

The model proposed by the territorial plan should establish the following actions concerning the economic or productive system:

• Zoning: Distinguishing the territory between depressed areas in decline and dynamic zones.
• Productive infrastructure: Determinations on improving endowments.
• Technological level: Actions aimed at improving the technological level of a territory to attract technologically advanced activities.

Spatial Plans and the Physical Environment

The environmental issue is another significant territorial planning concern. The territorial plan should establish management categories in the physical environment where soil cannot be developed, such as green belts and landscape planning.

The Definition of Urban Hierarchy

The definition of the urban hierarchy is a required chapter of spatial plans and must be viewed from two perspectives: the urban hierarchy in the current territorial model and the proposed territorial model.

The most commonly used criteria are:

1. Hierarchy established by the demographic weight of each town and its area of influence.
2. Hierarchy established by the attractiveness of an urban center: commuting for work, school, shopping, services, etc.
3. Hierarchy established by the number and specialization of urban functions (the centrality level), which can be determined by various procedures.

The main urban centers with a structuring role are the nodal system reference.