ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on two speculative issues: the broad implications for regional and urban areas of the development of the European Community in the context of an internationalizing economy and an informational revolution. An interlocking set of influences is likely to shape national and regional economies as a consequence of the completion of the single European market. Backward areas and old industrial regions, and notably the urban areas, have particular dangers and risks in prospect from the single European market. This may be even more so than for European regions that are outside the European Community competitive environment. A vital role will be played by the rapid integration of the European economy after 1992. The astonishing, and probably least predictable, element for the 1990s will be the totally unexpected transformation of the planned economies of Eastern Europe and the speed and character of their incorporation into the European and global economy.
