ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the pattern of emerging regional disparities, the reform of territorial structures and the form and nature of regional policy responses. It examines the spatial dimension of transition from various thematic perspectives. The chapter illustrates the technological change and industrial development, inward investment, the challenge of environmental problems, the growth and distribution of small and medium-sized enterprises and the issues of governance and cross-border cooperation. The post-socialist transformation initiated a decade ago in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries is singular in its speed and sudden change to a different economic system. The EU accession negotiations, now being undertaken with all ten CEE countries, have universally raised the profile of regional policy. The important potential role of regional and sub-regional actors, and the influence of different institutional structures and policy frameworks, point to the challenge facing CEE countries in the creation and operation of new territorial administrative systems.
