Linear Planning to Reduce Regional Inequality: A Theoretical Review and the Case of the Way of St. James

This book explores the advantages of a linear model of planning in reducing regional inequalities. Linear planning, commonly discussed in the past as a method which plans the development of the city, is completely redefined here in the form of a design approach inspired by projects shaped by linear routes, such as cycle or walking paths. Such concept is applied to the urgent topic of territorial marginality which specifically neglects rural and mountainous areas and recently is coped by European and National policies. The analysis of these policies demonstrates the necessity of alternative strategies equipped to deal with both the internal and external causes that determine the critical conditions in these fragile environments. By implementing the concept of linear planning in these contexts, this book proposes to enlarge the perspective of traditional policies contrasting the regional inequalities that usually determine the design of projects just within the boundaries of the marginal areas. Cycle and walking paths are experimental cases of linear planning as they have not been influenced or formed by political boundaries and therefore are able to equally involve both the central and marginal zones. This book presents a review of current issues such as regional inequalities, with attention to their related policies, as well as an analysis of the concept of linear planning as seen through the study of one of the most famous cases of a walking path—the Way of St. James in Spain.