1234 PONTIFICIAE ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARVM SCRIPTA VARIA - 2K
of large countries, feel they must pay some attention to the
regional distribution of well-being and hence of new invest-
ments and a large number of studies and activities are in opera-
tion for the preparation of regional development. Since this
dimension brings into the realm of planning some other aspects
known as physical planning and more heavily depends on some
social issues, these studies and activities are carried through
by a variety of different experts among which the general eco-
nomist plays a minor role. Together with the need for very
detailed decisions involved all this has led to a situation in
which the main economic interdependencies are not as much
observed as in macro or sectorial planning. There is a clear
need for an economic framework for regional planning, that is
for models, methods and procedures of such planning. It is
the purpose of this paper to draw a few lines along which it is
hoped practical work can be done.
2. The addition of the dimension of space or distance to
economic analysis signifies a considerable increase in the num-
ber of variables and of equations to be included in the models
of economic behaviour. Moreover their practical use requires
the knowledge of a large number of new « data », that is,
coefficients occurring in such models. Many of these data are
not readily available. In order nevertheless to arrive at work-
able models, we must simplify as many less relevant elements
as possible: the old art of science building. It goes without
saying that various types of simplifications will have to be
tried out and compared before some standard approach can
be attained. It also stands to reason that one concrete situation
will not necessarily require the same type of simplification as
another concrete case. We propose to make a number of
suggestions meant as challenges for further discussion. These
suggestions may be seen as a further elaboration of previous
suggestions by the author [4].
1871 Tinbergen - pag. 2
