Learning from the Application of the ESDP: Influences on European Territorial Governance

Abstract

European Territorial Cooperation, and the EU INTERREG Initiative in particular, is one of the five main means of application identified by the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP). An entire chapter of the ESDP is in fact devoted to considering the application of its concepts and ideas. The five main means of application comprise: (1) application at the European Community level; (2) application via transnational cooperation between member states; (3) application via cross-border and interregional cooperation; (4) application of the ESDP in member states; and (5) application via pan-European and international cooperation. The influence and application of the ESDP clearly have an important transnational learning dimension. This paper examines the influences of the ESDP on territorial policy and governance and on the associated learning effects, looking specifically at the supra-national level. Three areas of influence are considered here: (1) cooperation within the European Commission, looking at sectoral policy-making; (2) cooperation between member states under the INTER- REG Initiative, focusing on cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation; and (3) pan-European spatial planning cooperation, focusing on activities of the European Conference of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning (CEMAT).