Table 1

Table 1 Strategic Area Roles and Functions

	Aberdeen	Edge of City Communities*	Main Service Centres**	Rural Service Centres***	Rural Area	Uplands and Coast
Key Role	International gateway, regional centre and driving force of the regional economy, visually defined by a Green Belt.	Suburban centres each with a balance of services, population and employment, that accommodate strategic growth of the city.	Main centres for a balance of rural services, population and employment, and driving force of the local economy.	Minor service centres that may provide opportunities to absorb small-scale local development needs.	Area for the operation of indigenous rural industries and related business, and opportunities for tourism, recreation and other diversification.	Nature conservation, landscape, recreational and tourism areas, that are key features in the unique identity of the North East.
Main Functions
Economy	Driving force of regional economy Regional retail, entertainment, office and general employment centre	Locations for new general industrial and business land	Centres of rural/ fishing economy Opportunities for start-up and "mid-life" business Alternative locations for strategic business	Operation of business related to rural industries Opportunities for small-scale and start-up business	Operation of rural industries based on local resources and related business Supporting recreational role Opportunities for small- scale and start-up business	Key open-air recreational and tourism areas
Community	Regional population and service centre	Suburban population and service centre	Main local population and service centres	Local rural service centres Opportunities for small-scale housing	Population associated with local business	Population associated with local business
Environment	Absorption of main development pressures	Absorption of business development pressures	Absorption of most local development pressures	Absorption of small-scale local development pressures	General background of nature and landscape	Special nature conservation and landscape areas
Communications	International gateway and regional transport node	Western Peripheral Road Major nodes in park and ride system	Main transport nodes and corridors	Local network Information & communication technology	Local network Information & communication technology	Local network Walking routes Information and communication technology

* Edge of City Communities: Blackburn, Westhill and Portlethen

** Main Service Centres:

	Key Centres: Banff/Macduff, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Ellon. Inverurie/Kintore, Banchory and Stonehaven.
	Other Major Centres: Mintlaw, Turriff, Oldmeldrum, Insch, Huntly, Alford, Aboyne and Laurencekirk.

*** Rural Service Centres: Other settlements that contain at least some viable services.

NOTE These functions describe the main role which the strategy will encourage for each type of area or place, rather than a list of preferred land uses.

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This page was last updated on:16th May 2002