The ESPON Synthesis Report III is based on all 34 ESPON projects of the ESPON 2006 Programme. The purpose is to communicate the main findings of the ESPON 2006 Programme, and to nourish policy development for different territories in Europe through dialogue among policy makers, practitioners and researchers.

Thinking towards the future is an essential precondition for investigating where policies are necessary and how they should be shaped. Development has its own momentum, but policies can make a difference. The future can create different conditions for the citizens in different parts of Europe, for economic development and competitiveness and for cohesion within the European territory, its regions and cities.