{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02628361858190709, 'fraction_numerical': 0.018337408312958436, 'mean_word_length': 5.343023255813954, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 2, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Territorial Cohesion in Europe?

Every large community counts on its own ‘Grand Narrative’, which contributes to creating its identity. For European spatial planners the European Spatial Development Perspective, (ESDP), (CEC, 1999) can be seen as such a ‘Narrative’. Between 1989 and 1999, the European ministers responsible for spatial development policy worked closely together on drafting the ESDP document. During this 10-year process ministerial meetings were held twice a year, scientific conferences were arranged for the exchange of ideas and analyses and scenarios on trends in the European territory were commissioned. Member states as well as the European Commission contributed to the process through documents such as, Europe 2000 (CEC, 1992), Europe 2000 plus (CEC, 1994), Leipzig Guiding Principles (CSD, Committee on Spatial Development, 1994) and European trend scenarios (BflR, 1995). It was the process associated with the production of the ESDP that was as important as the final ESDP document agreed in Potsdam in 1999. During this process a cooperative approach to and common understanding of European spatial development policy developed amongst the member states and between member states and the European Commission. The ESDP is a legally non-binding document and it was the process of joint elaboration and agreement by the (then) 15 EU member states and the European Commission, which has given the document force. It was never intended to be a European territorial master plan. Rather, it aims to identify the main needs and principles for co-operation. It emphasizes the importance of both vertical (European Union—member states—regions) and horizontal (spatial development policy—sectoral policy) co-operation and coordination. It also proposes areas where spatial development policy can contribute to the achievement of the more general aims of the European Union and goes on to suggest 60 policy options linked to three areas of intervention: polycentric urban-rural development, balanced accessibility to (transport) networks and prudent management of the natural and cultural heritage of Europe. The ESDP is the first and only jointly agreed spatial development plan that goes beyond single nation states, being applicable across the then 15 and presently 25 sovereign states. After the Potsdam meeting work began on implementing the ESDP. In the ministerial meeting in Tampere at the end of 1999 the main topic for discussion was how to translate the ESDP into action. During the following five years, there have been three main areas of activity: the Council of Europe has been responsible for initiatives at the pan-European level (CoE, 2002); transnational co-operation between regions has been encouraged through the Interreg III B initiative; and scientific policy advice has been institutionalized within the European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON). However, at ministerial and European Commission level, strategic co-operation on how to shape the future of European spatial development and hence progress with the ESDP has been relatively limited. The slow pace of progress was due, at least in part, to the abolition of several institutions. The structures of communication established during the preceding 10 years