ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the further development of European interest in planning matters since the formulation of the framework document for the spatial development of the European Union as a whole, the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP). It describes the history of the preparation of the document, and explores how ESDP may impact upon urban and rural areas. The political context within which the ESDP is applied, or at least taken into consideration by national and sub-regional planning institutions, will occur on two levels: at a European political and territorial level; and at a member state political and administrative level. The ESDP exercise could be viewed as a welcome tonic for planning in setting challenges to innovative forms of strategy, purpose, legitimacy and creativity. The chapter focuses on a debate on what this might mean for member states' policy- and decision-making systems, and for the institutions of governance within member states that are responsible for formulating and implementing spatial planning processes.
