Regional planning and an application of linear programming methodology

Abstract

The thesis demonstrates an application of linear programming methodology for use in regional and sub-regional (structure) planning. This proposed use is in response to observed deficiencies of analysis considered to exist in those studies and strategies produced so far. These are mostly concerned with the financial and real resource aspects of plan making with special reference to the public sector provision of new infrastructure. Introduction presents a brief background of the present regional planning organisation and their responsibility for producing studies and strategies. Chapter 1 Looks at the Regional Role in the control and allocation of Public Expenditure with special reference to the framework of advice from central government as to how regional bodies should take into account the resource implications of regional studies and strategies. Chapter 2 Introduces some theoretical aspects on what constitutes a preferred strategy and examines the general form and content of studies and strategies so far produced in the context of these theoretical considerations and the advice from central government referred to in the previous chapter. Chapter 3 discusses a role for linear programming in strategy making and sets out the basic premises for its use. Previous uses of LP in planning are referred to with special reference to the problem of suitable objective functions. Chapter 4 describes the constructions of an LP matrix and, in some detail, how the estimates of the matrix coefficients were derived. Chapter 5 Discusses the use of the model for planners, examines its achievement in relation to the requirements of Chapters 1 and 2 and presents examples of output from runs of the model. Chapter 6 Suggests further development work required to bring the model up to full operational status. An extract from the thesis has already been published as a short paper in the Journal of Regional Studies, June 1974, Vol. 8, No.3. Pergamon Press.