Geography and planning in Palmerston North : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography at Massey University

Abstract

The statement that "planning has an inescapable geographical basis"¹ is in some respects a truism since town and country planning by its nature must operate within a territorial context. It follows that geography and planning should stand in some direct relationship to each other but the question of degree of relationship is open to debate. This present work is an attempt to explore and test the contribution which geographical studies of an area can make to one stage of the planning process - the compilation and analysis of planning data. Town planning in New Zealand has reached an interesting and critical stage of development. Although comprehensive planning legislation has been in effect since 1926 it is only since the passing of the 1953 Town and Country Planning Act that widespread efforts have been made to prepare planning schemes. During this period as problems have been encountered and experience in the preparation and administration of schemes have been accumulated, critical attention has been focused on the efficacy of both the legislation and the resultant schemes. As a result of this scrutiny substantial amendments were made to the legislation in early 1967. [From Preface]