| dc.description.abstract | The process of pla~~ng for economic development is e~~n9d ~~th
81!lphasison the role of spatial interactions in gaining a clearer
understanding of the spatial organization of an area. in delimi t,ing
planning regions-, and in identifying under-served areas at the
national and local level.
Aconceptual frameworkis presented in O1apter 1which identifies
9 stages in a process leading to spatial economi.e deve.l.opmerrt , Data
on locational attributes, central place functions and spatial interactions
are collected. analyzed, ~nd synthesized into a co~~rehensive ·liew
of the spatial orgar~zation of an area in the first 4 stages.
Planr.ingregions are then identified, based on the spatial organization
and on the deveLopmerrtstrategy articulated by tho government. A
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process in then needed which compares the costs of specific develop-
Montpro~cts with the progress they produce tOloT3.rdst.he identified
goals of economic development. ~lementation of the plans and
evaluation of the progress towards t.he deve.Iopmerrtgoals round out t.'le
9 stages leading to ~patial economic developm9nt.
Keyterms used in thi::. study are defined and selected re l evarrt
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literature briony re-..r1..ew~d irl Chapter 2. Important topics and
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2
definitions i~lude econo~c development (including contrasting
similar terms), spatial organization, regional development planning,
growth center theory, and spatial interactions. The.Most important
term, econoed.c development, is briefly defined as a process whereby
increased productivity and its benefits are spread to a larger
proportion of the population within a given areal unit.
The origins and development of the Kenyan urban system are
traced in Chapter 3. The location and growth of the centers in Kenya
are shown to be influenced by the physical structure of the landscape t
and m~re importantly. by the goals and technology of the people
living in Kenya and trading with Kenyans , The current spatial
organization is strongly influenced by the Arab, Portuguese and
Indian tradir~ communities established along the coast between 1000
and 1850 A.D. and the British colonial policies of slavery prohibition.
trade with the Baganda, rail"m.y construction, encouragement of
Enropean settlers in the highlands. and the emphasis on export of
agricultural pro~Jets.
The current spatial organization is depicted in Chapter 4. using
locational attribute information, central place functional data, and
especially data on the interactions between places. A seven day 1969
telephone call sample is arAlJ~ed using the nodal flow technique.
transaction flow analysis and regression of the gravity nodel. The
results of each of these analyses are wApped and compared with each
~-,
other and with the nodal flow pattern of a 1963 telephone call sample.
~l flows from 40 selected centers are eY~ned and compared to tile
telephone call patterns. BUs service for a part_ of the count~
(southwestern Kenya) is mapped and exami.ned, This type of interaction
data is especially useful for places which have no telephone or reail
service. A three level hierarchy of plannir~ regtons is proposed for
Kenya; macro-planning regions. planning regions. and local planning
regions. A map presents the plarJdng regions for Kenya at the top
two levels, based on functional and interactional data.
Chapter .5 demonstrate s the value of spatial planning at the lccal
planning region level through a detailed examinntion of a selected
local functional region, the Nyambeni Hills. northeast of }fount Kenya.
Locationsl attributes. central place functional information, the
transportatimnetwork and the flows of goods. people and ideas are
examined for a comprehensive picture of the spatial organization of
the area. The central place functional p'l.anrd.ngas carried out by
the Kenya Government is briefly examined with particular reference
to the lack of attention given tc interactional functions. Furt~er
specific proposals are made wn1ch ~~uld aid in the develop~ent of
the l~eni area. The perspective from the local planning level
~th inclusion of interaction data are additions ~nich aid in the
identification of p'Ianrd.ngprojects at the national level. | |
