European Spatial Planning for the Twenty-first Century

Abstract

This paper examines the evolving role of European spatial planning in light of the European Commission’s Fifth Cohesion Report and the Europe 2020 strategy. It argues that territorial cohesion may become more central to EU policy, but also that deeper questions concern the very meaning of territory. Rather than treating territory as a fixed property represented by governments, the paper suggests viewing it as diffuse and negotiable. Such a perspective helps to reconceptualise both spatial planning and European integration as processes that deconstruct frontiers and reveal a more urban, cosmopolitan, multilingual, and less hierarchical Europe. The paper addresses three key issues: (1) the relationship between the EU and its Member States in spatial planning; (2) the meaning of territory under European integration and globalisation; and (3) the implications of challenging conventional understandings of territory. It further explores the concepts of territorial cohesion, territorialism, territoriality, and soft spaces, concluding that while existing practices will persist, they will increasingly be embedded within new approaches.