ABSTRACT
Various explanations have been suggested for the lack in or limited degree of policy con-
vergence in spatial planning. Fu¨rst (2009), for example, contends that spatial planning pro-
cesses are relatively slow to change and are restrained by high transaction costs. He argues
that policy systems generally change only if the pressure is very strong or if ignoring the
need to change will be met by severe sanctions. Most planning systems are not usually in
this situation: the pressures are not strong enough and resisting change does not incur sanc-
tions or other costs. Here the CEE and especially Baltic structures differ: transition and
several post-transition shocks created a high level of stress.
