National-Level Planning in Democratic Countries: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Abstract This chapter defines national-level planning and explains the reasons why it should be studied. It then presents some background geographic and demographic data on the sample countries, and ranks the countries by the degree of institutionalisation of national-level spatial planning. The chapter also examines the major trends in national-level planning. These trends are classified into five groups: (1) trends related to national political and administrative contexts; (2) trends in national comprehensive planning; (3) trends in national sectoral planning; (4) emerging styles of planning and implementation; and (5) shared problems and dilemmas.