Governance of New Geographies: Ireland’s Metropolitan Area Spatial Plans (MASPs) in a New Legislative Context
Event Description
This seminar considered how, within a new legislative context that includes both the Planning and Development Act 2024 and the National Planning Framework First Revision (2025), the next set of Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASPs) could become the strategic frameworks originally intended to guide the development of Ireland’s city-regions.
ESPON-Seminar on Formal and Informal Governance and Roles in the Green Transition - [Event in Swedish]
From periphery to powerhouse - Kvarken to lead Europe's industrial transition
The seminar highlighted how the Kvarken regions—Västernorrland, Västerbotten, and Ostrobothnia—can build on their current strengths to attract green, energy‑intensive investments. As some of Europe’s most competitive regions for net‑zero technologies, they have a unique opportunity to drive industrial renewal through renewable energy, strong industrial ecosystems, and regional expertise. The event explored how these advantages can be leveraged before competitiveness declines, and how such efforts support both regional growth and the EU’s green transition.
Places for People: ESPON Peer-learning Workshop, Architectural Policy: From Theory to Implementation
The Peer-Learning Workshop "Architectural Policy: From Theory to Implementation" was held on 19 February 2026. It aimed to support the preparation of the National Architectural Policy of the Republic of Cyprus through the exchange of experiences with European experts. During the first session of the event, policy experts from four European countries presented their national architecture policies. In addition, the ESPON HOUSE4ALL Project was presented by an ESPON representative.
[TRANSITOR] - Territorial outlook on the resilience of critical transport infrastructure across European regions
TRANSITOR is an ESPON European Research Project that delivers new, place-based territorial evidence and policy recommendations to support Member States, regions and local authorities in strengthening the resilience of Europe’s critical transport infrastructure, both physical and digital.
URDICO-Florence case study
This annex to the URDICO Final Report examines Florence and its engagement with EU Cohesion Policy and related programmes. The case highlights how Florence leverages its status as one of Italy’s 14 metropolitan cities, acting as an Intermediate Body in the National Operational Programmes for Metropolitan Cities (2014–2020 and 2021–2027), while also coordinating with the wider Metropolitan City of Florence, which encompasses 41 municipalities and around one million inhabitants.
URDICO-Policy Recommendations
This annex of the ESPON URDICO final report presents policy recommendations to strengthen the urban dimension of EU Cohesion Policy beyond 2027. Drawing on city case studies, multi-level analysis, and participatory consultations, it addresses challenges such as fragmented governance, limited administrative capacity, and weak alignment between urban strategies and EU funding.
URDICO-The urban dimension of Cohesion Policy-Policy Brief
This policy brief, based on the ESPON URDICO final report, examines how the urban dimension of EU Cohesion Policy has been implemented across eight European cities. It highlights how cities interact with national and regional authorities, align EU funds with local long-term agendas, and contribute to broader EU goals.
URDICO-Warsaw case study
This case study on Warsaw is part of the annexes of the ESPON URDICO final report, examining how EU Cohesion Policy is implemented in the Warsaw Metropolis, including the city of Warsaw and surrounding municipalities. It explores institutional arrangements, administrative capacity, multi-level governance, and territorial coordination across local, metropolitan, regional, national, and EU levels.
URDICO-Valencia case study
This case study on Valencia is part of the annexes of the ESPON URDICO final report. Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, is governed by the Mayor-President and a 33-member City Council, managing competences such as urban planning, housing, transport, social services, and environmental protection.
