ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the Czech approach to regional policy and planning, which has been and will be used to address the structural changes in the economy and the challenge of EU accession. It focuses on factors that have initiated change and steps that have been taken to pursue policies to overcome the changes in Czech regional policy. The chapter discusses the main trends of regional development and outlines the present problems and reactions in Czech regional policy. It examines the main issues relating to the Czech Republic Development Plan, designed to provide a framework for policy action at various geographical levels. Since 1996, the Czech government has changed its attitude towards regional policy due to both internal and external factors. The reform of regional administration in the Czech Republic started in 1990 with the abolition of the eight regions, leaving the district as the only State administrative unit.
