Strategy of development and regional planning

Abstract

Development Planning in Africa has made a remarkable progress during the 196O's. One of the main features distinguishing planning today from that of the first years of independence is increasing interest in regional planning i.e., the elaboration of plans and programmes for sub-national regions - provinces, districts, departments, etc. The first long-term plans of the African countries had few or no passages concerning regional development; while the so-called "second generation" African plans put more emphasis on regional problems many plans now include special parts on regional development programmes. This progress reflects an increased understanding of the importance of the regional development for economic and social progress. Attention to the regional problems may be considered and indicator of maturation in national planning philosophy. The reasons which have compelled governments and planners to mature in this direction are clear an may be mentioned here.