Awareness-Raising for European Territorial Cohesion in Planning Education – With Reference to Italian and German Examples

Abstract

The concept of territorial cohesion has gained centrality in European spatial planning debates, culminating in its inclusion in the Treaty of Lisbon as a complement to the EU’s economic and social cohesion objectives. This shift elevates the role of spatial planners in realising territorial cohesion and participating in EU programmes and policies. This paper examines whether young planning professionals are being adequately trained for these responsibilities. It reviews Italian and German planning education programmes, assessing the presence and integration of EU-related content through both quantitative (number of relevant courses) and qualitative (course content and integration) analysis. Findings suggest that, despite increasing organisational homogenisation driven by initiatives like the Bologna Process, planning education in Europe has yet to fully incorporate a substantive “European turn” in its curricula.