The ESPON 2013 programme : territorial diversity (TeDi)

Abstract

The ESPON Territorial Diversity (TeDi) belongs to the second strand of the ESPON 2013 programme, “ESPON Targeted Analysis Based on User Demand”. As such, it purports to provide “evidence and knowledge based on ESPON results on the strengths and weaknesses of individual regions and/or larger territories seen from a European perspective, or a global context”. The specific focus of the study is on opportunities for growth and sustainable development in areas with geographical specificities, i.e. mountain areas, islands, sparsely populated areas and areas with high a population density in peripheral position such as islands. With the exception of the latter one, these categories have been the subject of specific attention in European policy making through dedicated studies commissioned by DG REGIO1 or by the concerned regions2. They have also been given special attention in the Green paper on Territorial cohesion published by the European Commission in September 2008, which describes them as “facing particular development challenges” and proposes delimitations at the NUTS 3 level (see Annex 1). Furthermore, as part of the ensuing consultation process, contributions from interest organisations representing islands (CPMR Islands Commission), mountain areas (Euromontana, AEM – European Association of Elected Representatives from Mountain areas) and sparsely populated areas (Northern Sparsely Populated Areas network), as well as from a series of concerned regional and national authorities.