Overview

Originally published in French as Le territoire européen: des racines aux enjeux globaux, this book reflects the enormous changes that Europe has seen in the past half century. In a period of immense upheaval, the continent has experienced increased integration, largely through the development of the European Union, heightened urbanization and a changing rural landscape, while economic and commercial activities have impressed their stamp on the whole scene. In this book, Jacques Robert deploys the experience amassed throughout his 35 years’ experience as adviser to European institutions in the field of territorial and regional development. The chapter on cities explains the emergence of the European urban hierarchy and the driving forces and inertia behind its evolution, while a following chapter looks at the changing role of rural areas. This material provides a historic overview of relevant policies and a discussion of future challenges. The third chapter discusses evolving paradigms of regional economic development and their impact on European regions. Next, there is a chapter on the historical roots and current processes within territorial integration. The book concludes with an examination of Europe’s place in the world at large, focussing particularly on globalization effects, climate change and new energy paradigms, which will present real challenges for decades to come. The book is unique in its combination of in-depth analysis of the evolution of European territorial policies and paradigms, but also in its geographically comprehensive approach integrating the experience of both Western and Eastern Europe. It will be of interest to academics and professionals within territorial development and spatial planning.

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9781138379237

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Reviews

'The volume provides an authoritative account of the main historical transformations and the present dominant trends of the European space. It also focuses on the urban and rural specificities that shape the variety of European territories. Particular attention is devoted to the dynamics of territorial production systems and to the impacts of global challenges at the local/regional level stressing both potentials and vulnerabilities. The reader will benefit from a huge number of supporting examples.' - Francesc Morata, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain

'The volume provides an authoritative account of the main historical transformations and the present dominant trends of the European space. It also focuses on the urban and rural specificities that shape the variety of European territories. Particular attention is devoted to the dynamics of territorial production systems and to the impacts of global challenges at the local/regional level stressing both potentials and vulnerabilities. The reader will benefit from a huge number of supporting examples.' — Francesc Morata, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

Author Information

Jacques Robert (1947 – 2011) was Director of TERSYN Agence Européene ‘Territoires et Synergies’, Strasbourg, France. He devoted more than 35 years of his professional career to European territorial and regional development issues.

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