A Future for the European Patchwork

The issue of cohesion and the policies associated with it are concerns not only for supranational entities such as the EU, but also for nation states and regions alike. Traditional instruments for promoting cohesion include symbolic, economic and social policies. However, given the contemporary tensions at both the international and domestic levels, attempts to create or maintain >cohesion< are="" so="" important="" that="" innovative="" approaches="" must="" be="" pursued.="" this="" book="" asks="" to="" what="" extent="" spatial="" and="" urban="" planning,="" in="" their="" claim="" to="" be="" more="" than="" just="" sectoral="" policies,="" have="" contributed="" to="" the="" cohesion="" of="" societies="" over="" the="" last="" 30="" years:="" at="" european,="" intergovernmental,="" national="" and="" regional="" levels="" -="" in="" times="" of="" challenging="" transformations="" on="" all="" spatial="" levels.="" the="" book="" is="" therefore="" divided="" into="" three="" parts,="" which="" examine="" the="" achievements="" and="" shortcomings="" of="" cohesion="" policies="" in="" their="" theoretical="" assumptions,="" at="" national="" and="" regional="" level,="" and="" in="" intergovernmental="" cooperation.="" the="" various="" contributions="" show="" that="" spatial="" cohesion="" policies="" are="" significant="" factors="" for="" the="" cohesion="" of="" societies="" even="" beyond="" their="" borders,="" but="" that="" these="" have="" too="" often="" not="" received="" the="" recognition="" they="">