Workshop 1 – Polycentric and balanced territorial development

ESPON Internal Seminar 2013

“Territorial Evidence for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 and Territorial Agenda 2020”

Programme and roles

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Chair: Chris Poulton, ESPON MC UK

Facilitator: Agnieszka Olechnicka, ECP PL

Coordinator: Marjan van Herwijnen, ESPON CU

13h30 Welcome and introduction by chair

13h35 Presentation and statements by ESPON project teams (10 min each):

• GROSEE, Ioan Ianos• TOWN, Loris Servillo• ET2050, Andreu Ulied

14h05 Chair remarks and facilitator opens up discussion

14h55 Conclusions by chair and thanks

15h00 Close

Discuss the usefulness of ESPON key findings for policy makers in developing and implementing policies/strategies in the context of Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 and the Territorial Agenda 2020.

Purpose of workshop

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1. What are the opportunities and challenges for fostering a more polycentric and balanced territorial development in Europe in the next programming period?

2. What evidence do we have on the cooperation of cities and regions?

3. What is the potential for better cooperation and networking to improve European territorial balance and competitiveness?

4. What additional territorial evidence do policy makers need in this context?

Questions

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Key points concluding the presentations and discussions in this session:

1.EU-policy makers should be aware that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach for regions.

2.More research is needed on functional networks and flows and its implications.

3.Big Data will be a lever for more innovative, more local and more up-to-date data. But will Big Data also end Big Research? (i.e. scientifically sound research)

Key points for ESPON

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