March 2009
ESPON 2013 Programme
Newsletter No 6/04 March 2009
Welcome to the sixth electronic ESPON 2013 Newsletter. It offers information on the latest developments of the ESPON Programme.
Message from the ESPON Coordination Unit
The world is facing the major challenge of responding to a financial crisis with an economic recession in more and more countries. This challenge is as well a major one for European countries, their regions and cities that need to maximise their contribution to reversing the unfortunate current situation for enterprises and people.
In principle, potentials for development are present in all regions and cities, and existing disparities reflect in a way the under-utilisation of local resources, which by being released could support an increasing national economic growth and more jobs to the satisfaction of the European citizens.
Evidence from ESPON and other sources show that the potential for faster economic growth and highly productive economic activity exists in many regions, and not only where economic activity currently is most concentrated. The potential is often unique for each city and region which again reflects the diversity existing within the European territory.
In turn, whether growth takes place or not mostly depends on how efficiently regions and cities understand, define and mobilise their assets, not only in a local territorial context but increasingly in a pan-European and even world-wide comparison.
In principle, potentials for development are present in all regions and cities, and existing disparities reflect in a way the under-utilisation of local resources, which by being released could support an increasing national economic growth and more jobs to the satisfaction of the European citizens.
Evidence from ESPON and other sources show that the potential for faster economic growth and highly productive economic activity exists in many regions, and not only where economic activity currently is most concentrated. The potential is often unique for each city and region which again reflects the diversity existing within the European territory.
In turn, whether growth takes place or not mostly depends on how efficiently regions and cities understand, define and mobilise their assets, not only in a local territorial context but increasingly in a pan-European and even world-wide comparison.
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