Urban planning, also known as city planning or town planning, is concerned with a city or a delimited urban area that encompasses a city or town. A regional plan, on the other hand, might include a number of urban areas. Regional planning is an essential component of city development. Without it, cities would continue to grow unchecked, resulting in overcrowding and increased crime rates. Regional plans are designed to guide the growth of urban areas by setting goals for population increase or decrease, preservation of open space, development of new industries, etc. They often include proposals for mass transportation such as buses or light rail, improvements for existing roads, and public facilities such as parks and libraries. The process by which these plans are developed can be either administrative or advisory. Administrative regions usually have established agencies such as metropolitan departments of transportation (MassDOT) or local councils that develop their own plans independently from any outside influence. Advisory bodies provide advice to local officials on issues before them. For example, a group of citizens may be appointed by a municipal government to review developments within its borders and make recommendations about future actions. Or a state agency may be charged with developing guidelines for local governments to follow in building large projects such as highways or stadiums. In order for a plan to be effective, all parties involved in its development must agree on its main objectives and how they should be achieved.