European spatial planning observatory network

At the Tampere informal meeting of the Ministers with responsibility for regional planning, a decision was taken to set up the European Spatial Planning Observatory Network (ESPON) as one of the 12 measures for implementing the European spatial development perspective. The aim of the observatory is to provide the necessary database to encourage the harmonious development of the entire Community and to clarify the concept of territorial cohesion. ESPON activities rely on networking between the Member States (research institutes, public authorities).