Define a formal Region. Who gave the concept of Garden City? What are the techniques employed to delineate a functional region?

A formal region, also known as a uniform or homogeneous region, is a geographic area characterized by a common set of physical or cultural attributes. These attributes can include climate, language, religion, political boundaries, or economic activities. The defining feature of a formal region is that it exhibits uniformity or homogeneity across its territory. This means that the characteristics that define the region are consistent throughout, distinguishing it from surrounding areas.

One example of a formal region is the Sahara Desert, which is characterized by its arid climate and sandy terrain. Another example is the French-speaking region of Quebec in Canada, where the predominant language and cultural practices differentiate it from other provinces.

The concept of the Garden City was introduced by British urban planner Ebenezer Howard in his 1898 publication "Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform" and later expanded upon in his 1902 book "Garden Cities of To-morrow." Howard envisioned Garden Cities as self-contained communities that would combine the benefits of urban and rural living. These cities would be planned to accommodate a balance of residential, industrial, and agricultural areas within a green belt, providing residents with access to nature and a high quality of life.

To delineate a functional region, several techniques are employed to identify the interactions and relationships between different areas. One common method is the gravity model, which estimates the interaction between two locations based on their population size and distance from each other. The larger the population and the shorter the distance between two locations, the stronger the interaction is assumed to be.

Another technique is network analysis, which examines the connectivity and flow of people, goods, or information between different locations. This method often involves mapping transportation routes, communication networks, or trade flows to identify functional relationships between areas.

Additionally, functional regions can be delineated based on economic or administrative criteria. For example, an economic region may be defined by a common market area or a shared labor market, while an administrative region may be delineated by political boundaries such as counties or states.

Overall, formal regions are characterized by uniformity or homogeneity based on common physical or cultural attributes, while functional regions are defined by the interactions and relationships between different areas, often determined by economic, social, or administrative factors. The concept of the Garden City, introduced by Ebenezer Howard, envisioned self-contained communities that integrated urban and rural living to promote a high quality of life. Techniques such as the gravity model, network analysis, and economic or administrative criteria are employed to delineate functional regions and understand the dynamics of spatial interactions.