A major population shift from rural to urban areas in the developing world has to an increasing proportion of people living in towns and cities. These burgeoning cities depend on their hinterlands for water supplies and waste disposal rural population is still increasing in absolute terms and there are increasing two-way flow of people, resources and activities. As a result, rural planning in isolation from the wider economy is not realistic. There has never been a greater need for development planning and good management of natural resources. This book provides an international perspective on rural planning in developing countries. it examines conventional technical development planning and innovations in local planning. it looks at range of approaches to participation in planning, and explores the basis for stakeholder collaboration. The author analyse and draw lessons from past and current practice and ways that land use planning and management of natural resources can underpin local livelihoods. they draw on case studies from Africa Asia and Latin America to present findings and recommendations relevant throughout the developing world.