Regional Foresight Redefining Regional Planning Process from the View of Futures Studies

Regional planning knowledge despite the many downsides in the path to theoretical and applied evolution, from last decade, relied on the interdisciplinary knowledge to synergy with other sciences to enhance its ability and impact. Social sciences, management sciences, political sciences, economics, and recent knowledge of futures studies are among the sciences that have a scientific connection with regional planning.

The research method in this article was based on the Delphi method of the experts. It has been used to evaluate the impact of futures studies knowledge on planning and development patterns.

In recent years, knowledge of futures studies has influenced on regional planning knowledge in two dimensions: approachal and technical and the link between these two domains, in addition to the theoretical and applied advances, has brought about the emergence of interdisciplinary knowledge of regional foresight. This paper tries to depict the future-oriented approach to the regional planning. By designing this topic, there is a need for greater synergy for scholars and thinkers in both fields.

results show that with a futures studies approach, the regional planning process can be reproduced and revisited  in nine successive and interlinked phases. These include identifying key forces, foresighting global coordinates for key forces, scenario writing, and extracting viable strategies.