ABSTRACT

This chapter charts the emerging field of spatial researches and regional studies within CEE. Beginning in studying the development needs accompanying interwar state formation processes, and, subsequently, the development gaps under state socialism, regional studies have successfully integrated researchers from many different disciplinary backgrounds, research interests and approaches. New institutions, the strongest in Poland and Hungary, have emerged in recent decades, and new publication forums with a specific ‘regionalist’ focus can also be identified. Most importantly, spatial researches have contributed to decentralisation agendas, and championed the idea of subsidiarity and regionally differentiated development in states with centralised political traditions.