Region
In general, a region is defined as being an area of land that has common features and characteristics, and is a concept that is useful for describing spatial areas. Regions are often referred to as being the basic units of geography.
Regions are normally categorised as physical (natural or artificial geographical features), human (language, government, religion, and so on), or environmental (forests, nature, climate, and so on).
Regions are not necessarily defined by boundaries; geographic regions and sub-regions are typically defined by imprecise boundaries that can sometimes be transitory. However, in human geography, regions are typically defined by areas of jurisdiction such as national, county or city borders.
Regions are often expressed as being part of the spatial hierarchy; global, national, regional, local. The regions of England are commonly considered to comprise; South East, London, North West, East of England, West Midlands, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, North East.
However, regions can also be used to define multi-national global areas, such as; Africa, Asia, Central America, Eastern Europe and so on.
Devolution is the granting of powers away from central government to a sub-national level, such as regional or local, enabling the creation of legislation specific to that particular area. It is a form of decentralisation that provides territories with greater autonomy and independent responsibility. For more information, see Devolution.
In a built environment, regions can be referred to in relation to masterplanning or devising policy for urban regeneration or development. A strategic masterplan might identify how an entire region could be regenerated or changed in order to meet a perceived challenge. For more information, see Masterplanning.
NB Spatial development glossary, European Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial/Regional Planning (CEMAT), Territory and landscape, No 2, published by Council of Europe Publishing in 2007, states:
The concept of region is a multi-dimensional one which may refer to:
- a geographical area which has a strong natural identity and homogeneity (for instance mountain or coastal region);
- a territory with a significant economic identity or homogeneity (for instance a space which is polarised around a metropolitan area, an area characterises by specific activities such as manufacturing industries);
- a political-administrative unit governed by an elected regional assembly or administered by representatives of the national administration;
- a territory with a particular cultural identity and history (regional language and culture, etc.).
Global Warming of 1.5 ºC, Glossary, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2018, suggests that: ‘A region is a relatively large-scale land or ocean area characterized by specific geographical and climatological features. The climate of a land-based region is affected by regional and local scale features like topography, land use characteristics and large water bodies, as well as remote influences from other regions, in addition to global climate conditions. The IPCC defines a set of standard regions for analyses of observed climate trends and climate model projections.’
Housing statistics and English Housing Survey, glossary, published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in 2019, adopts the following regions for England.
- North: North East; North West; and Yorkshire and the Humber
- Midlands and East: East Midlands; West Midlands; and East
- London and South: London; South East; and South West
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The benefits of writing articles for your organisation
How to create a profile for your organisation and publish for free.
No Falls Week. The importance of safe working at height
What to expect and what is on offer to avoid accidents.
Scottish Government action to reach net-zero targets
Retrofit expert group highlight critical actions needed.
A forward thinking, inclusive global community of members.
From engineered product life-spans, to their extension.
Circular economy in the built environment
A brief description from 2021. Where are we now?
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.