Few planning problems are confined within individual jurisdictions. The reasons stem from the interrelationships of various socioeconomic and natural processes in communities and how the effects of development are transmitted through space. For this reason, it is often necessary to undertake planning for large areas encompassing multiple jurisdictions. When large areas are distinguished by identifiable common or unifying characteristics, they are referred to as regions. Regional planning is concerned with many different facets of the physical and human environment over large areas of landscape that may or may not have well-defined political boundaries. Regional planners recognize the need to take a synoptic approach to area-wide problems and take steps to achieve the desired vision. The growing trend towards regional planning is the recognition that many of the problems of a region could hardly be solved by individual jurisdictions acting alone. Regional planning minimizes duplication of public efforts by forging partnerships with local governments as well as the business and non-profit sectors. Given the autonomy often accorded local government units, regional planning blends their competing aims for development in the interest of all citizens in a region. This book intends to provide the reader with a discussion on specific area-wide planning issues that cut across multiple jurisdictions and the steps being taken to address them. The issues include transportation, housing, economic development, air and water quality, watershed pollution, industrial development, health issues, soil pollution or land degradation, and education.