ABSTRACT
The criteria of evaluation of ‘European Spatial Development Policies’ depend on the objectives to be pursued by such policies. In fact the interpretation of ‘European Spatial Policies’ concerns three fundamental issues. Firstly, there are different interpretations of what is to be understood by ‘Europe’. Secondly, it must be seen that most of the fields in which the European Union has policy competence are, explicitly or implicitly, relevant for the Continent’s spatial development. Thirdly, spatial structures can be considered at different spatial levels. Development concepts and corresponding spatial development policies require analytical foundations that are based on internationally and interregionally compatible information concepts which provide that similar phenomena become recognisable in similar forms. Spatial development researchers have been called upon to contribute, not merely by descriptive and analytical contributions, but also by taking an active part in the discussion on feasible ways out of the unsatisfactory present state of European spatial policies.
