Guidance and Control Polycentric City-regions: Application of Spatial Strategic Planning Approach

Polycentric city- regions are the result of the increasing processes of growth in different spatial configurations. Such phenomena are particular type of spatial system that have their unique and distinctive characteristics. Misunderstanding the nature of Polycentric city-regions and their specific guidance and control mechanisms especially in developing countries, would prevent them of experiencing sustainable spatial development. Traditional planning approaches are unable to face challenges presented by such city- regions, while insisting on their continuation would lead to inextricable problems. This is despite the fact that the strategic spatial planning might address the challenge properly.
The purpose of this article is to explain and to clarify the concept of city- region in developing and developed countries; to thinking about the consequences of city- regions’ expansion; and to discuss the eligibility of spatial strategic planning as a responsive and applicable procedure to face the challenging nature of Polycentric city- regions.
This article is based on explanatory research methodology, which is followed by an analytical description of events in order to explain their relationship within the framework of systems approach. So, firstly, the theoretical and experimental frameworks related to the “polycentric city region” would be reviewed; secondly, the spatial strategic planning approach would be explained; then the challenges of guidance and control mechanisms in polycentric city- regions would be clarified; and finally, the key and strategic issue to address those challenges would be discussed.
The output of this article is the analysis of major characteristics of polycentric city- regions and the explanation of how the guidance and control mechanism of such city- regions can be assumed to be within a spatial strategic planning approach.