A programming region consists of one or more counties within an administrative region, or a
combination of adjacent counties in adjoining administrative regions or one or more administrative
regions in their totality. A programming region is a clearly defined geographic area that is targeted for
a particular regional development programme. Its geographic boundaries are defined such that
planning objectives may be efficiently accomplished.
Programming regions are ‘target regions’ where specific economic policy measures can
stimulate economic growth. An optimal policy for a programming region requires a clear identification
of both the economic objective to be attained, and the structure of the regional economy as defined by
its input-output linkages. Regional input-output structures can differ because of different technological
and factor endowments. The economic effects of policy stimulation transmits growth to adjoining
counties and regions, and thus affects industries through their interregional and intersectoral linkages
(Boudeville, 1963).
2.3 Polarised Region
A polarised region is a region “... that consists of interdependencies between economic and
spatial elements”2. The economic element is manifested by a high degree of external economies, and
intersectoral commodity and factor flows. The spatial element refers to traffic, transportation, and
communication structures. The degree of polarisation depends on the intensity and integration of all
economic activity within the region. It can be characterised as being a singular physical area with an
interwoven pattern of economic activity between industrial sectors reflecting forward and backward
linkages. It is defined by the spatial integration of interdependent heterogeneous production activities,
which creates structural (compositional) inter-industry differences between these types of regions,
resulting in regional income disparities.
Boudeville (1963) has argued that a polarised region should satisfy the following three
criteria: i), a total population of more than four million people; ii), an integrated industrial complex;
and iii), a relatively high volume of exports. Boudeville’s population criterion recognises not only the
Boudeville, (1963)