ABSTRACT
Regional cooperation is a rather new topic in Catalonia. Until recently, few initiatives had been taken in this respect. However, the ongoing process of globalization and internationalization has increased the need for regional forms of cooperation in Catalonia as well. Especially urban planning and territorial policies seem to be under pressure due to increasing social segregation. The Catalan Government did not have specific urban policies to address such issues. In 2004 however, the Ministry of Spatial Policies and Public Works (Departament de Política Territorial I Obres Públiques – DPTOP) launched a new act: the District Act. For the first time, the socio-economic development of urban areas in Catalonia received explicit attention.
