2. ESPON 2006 Programme
”Programme on spatial development of an enlarging European Union”
Programme under EU Structural Funds, the Community Initiave Interreg III
Budget 12 million Euro
Cofinancing by EU and Member States

3. Expectations Knowledge on territorial trends
Territorial impact of policies
Integrated concepts and tools
Scenarios
Policy input (Structural Funds)
Operational deliverables (in particular territorial indicators)

4. Objectives European and transnational focus
Better perception and application of the ESDP
Spatial dimension of territorial cohesion policy and other EU policies
Better coordination of territorial decisions
Integrating policy makers, administrators and scientists
A European “territorial” scientific community
Starting point: research on spatial development from the national, regional and local points of view is partly already existing and available although not covering the whole territory.
§ To add value to existing national research by taking a clear European and trans-national focus the implications of the ESDP policy options
§ tools (instruments and institutions) for the better perception and application of ESDP policy option;
§ better understanding of the spatial dimension of the Structural Funds, territorial cohesion policy and other Community policies,
§ how can territorial decisions, taken at the Community, national, regional and local level can be better coordinated;
§ bridging the gap between policy makers, administrators and the scientists;
§ creating a scientific European community in the field of spatial development.

5. Priorities
Priority 1: Thematic studies on important spatial development
Priority 2: Policy impact studies
Priority 3: Coordinating cross-thematic studies
Priority 4: Research briefing and scientific networking
Priority 5: Technical assistance
Starting point: research on spatial development from the national, regional and local points of view is partly already existing and available although not covering the whole territory.
§ To add value to existing national research by taking a clear European and trans-national focus the implications of the ESDP policy options
§ tools (instruments and institutions) for the better perception and application of ESDP policy option;
§ better understanding of the spatial dimension of the Structural Funds, territorial cohesion policy and other Community policies,
§ how can territorial decisions, taken at the Community, national, regional and local level can be better coordinated;
§ bridging the gap between policy makers, administrators and the scientists;
§ creating a scientific European community in the field of spatial development.

6. Priority 1: Thematic studies on important spatial developments
Measure 1.1.:
Cities, polycentric development and urban-rural relations
Measure 1.2.:
Parity of access to infrastructure and knowledge
Measure 1.3.:
Natural and cultural heritage

7. Priority 2: Policy impact studies
Measure 2.1.:
The territorial effects of sector policies
Measure 2.2.:
New territorial aspects of Structural Funds and related funds
Measure 2.3.:
Institutions and instruments of spatial policies

8. Priority 3: Coordinating cross-thematic studies
Measure 3.1.:
Integrated tools for the European spatial development
Measure 3.2.:
Spatial scenarios and orientations for the ESDP and the Cohesion Policy

9. Perspectives Potential influence
Territorial cohesion in Third Cohesion Report
Territorial priorities in Structural Funds
Potential revision of European Spatial Development Perspective
A European Research Network on spatial planning and territorial development

10. Focus on European data integration
Need for improved integration of European-wide data:
addressed by:
Integrated tools for spatial development (3.1.)
Data navigator (4.1.)
Starting point: research on spatial development from the national, regional and local points of view is partly already existing and available although not covering the whole territory.
§ To add value to existing national research by taking a clear European and trans-national focus the implications of the ESDP policy options
§ tools (instruments and institutions) for the better perception and application of ESDP policy option;
§ better understanding of the spatial dimension of the Structural Funds, territorial cohesion policy and other Community policies,
§ how can territorial decisions, taken at the Community, national, regional and local level can be better coordinated;
§ bridging the gap between policy makers, administrators and the scientists;
§ creating a scientific European community in the field of spatial development.

11. Integrated tools for spatial development
Technical and analytical support and coordination
Territorial and thematic coordination of ongoing projects
Preparation for the exploitation of results
Policy development recommendations
Assistance in promotion and networking of the ESPON programme

12. Integrated tools: Technical and analytical support
Indicators database
Common GIS and cartography
Development and integration of territorial concepts and typologies
Spatial analyses

13. Integrated tools: Timetable
Intermediate results: indicators with policy relevance for the preparation of the third Cohesion Report (end 2003)
Final report in 2004, including comprehensive set of data and indicators, going beyond classical NUTS levels where possible, and using appropriate spatial analysis methods

14. Data navigator: inventory on data
Producing national and European inventories of available and relevant territorial data
Increasing identification and accessibility of data sources
Summary inventory: Europe-wide handbook
Handbook will be available at the ESPON website

15. Contact details ESPON Coordination Unit CRP Henri Tudor
Rue de Luxembourg 66
BP 144
L Esch-sur-Alzette
Tel:
Fax:

16. Contact details European Commission - DG REGIO GIS Department
CSM2 1/53
B Bruxelles
Tel:
Fax: