THE ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK OF REGIONAL
PLANNING

JAN} TINBERGEN (+)
Vederlandsche Economische Hoogeschool
Rotterdam - Nederland

1. Development planning has become an established activity
 in many countries after World War II and both a practice
and a theory have emerged. It is only natural that practical
devices were in use before a somewhat integrated theory was
available and it also stands to reason that both practice and
theory are still changing. Most of the common body of theory
which is nowadays accepted by a majority of development
planners deals with an economy subdivided into sectors, that
is industries or activites — depending on the type of analysis
used. One of the main reasons for working with such models
is no doubt that the proper choice of sectors promising « comparative
 advantages » in international competition is of para
mount importance for the success of any development policy
Even so, however, another « dimension » in economic development
 is increasingly requiring attention, namely the spatial
 or ve “onal aspect. Many governments. especially those

*) Professor Jax TINBERGEN was unable to attend although he had
noped to be one of the participants in the Study-Week up to the last
ninute. We are happy to include in the present volume his communication
which he sent in advance

Tinbergen - pag.