Modelling and Spatial Visions - Territorial Dynamics and Regional Strategies for European Cohesion

Territorial cohesion is included in the Constitution of the European Union to complement the Union objectives on economic and social cohesion. The need and the right for all EU citizens to access essential services, basic infrastructure and knowledge and a clean natural environment further highlight the significance of territorial cohesion. The evaluation of the level of cohesion of the European territory presents several challenges because of the intrinsically dual-sided nature of the policies which might have direct or indirect impacts on the territory. From one side, EU wide policies and programmes (e.g. TEN-T, CAP, ERDF, etc.) respond to wider European frameworks where the continental dimension is considered. From the other, national and sub-national policies set local strategies, priorities and plans and are also the ultimate implementers of EU programmes. Whether or not European and local visions coincide, it is often difficult to correlate causes with observed territorial effects. The Directorate General Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) of the European Commission (EC) is contributing to the analysis of territorial cohesion with a research project named MOLAND (Monitoring Land Use / Cover Dynamics) the aim of which is to provide an integrated methodology based on a set of spatial planning tools that can be used for assessing, monitoring and forecasting the development of urban and regional environments. The methodology also integrates strategies and measures of spatial planning for the mitigation and reduction of natural hazards, with specific focus on flood, drought and forest-fire.

LAVALLE Carlo;  BARREDO CANO Jose';  MCCORMICK Niall;  KASANKO Marjo; 

2006-09-14

Franco Angeli Editore

JRC31162

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC31162,