ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book covers four themes: research on the effectiveness and impact of Cohesion Policy; the contribution of Cohesion Policy to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; the importance of the administration and delivery of Cohesion Policy; and the inter-relationships between institutions, territory and place-based policies. It begins with a long-term perspective on the effectiveness of Cohesion Policy. The book analyses the existing scholarly and policy literature on the factors conditioning EU Cohesion Policy and its impacts. It shows that investment in high-quality transport infrastructure can lead to greater territorial cohesion at different spatial levels. The book examines the regional demographic implications of the Cohesion Policy interventions in Latvia under the 2007-13 Operational Programme and evaluates the significance of these effects in comparison with other forms of regional socio-economic aid and financial investment.
