Spatial framing within EU Cohesion Policy and spatial planning: towards functional and soft spaces, yet on different paths

This chapter addresses the processes of spatial framing underlying EU Cohesion Policy and spatial planning in the EU member states, which shape the spatial delineations of programmes, plans and projects. While administrative, fixed and hard spaces continue to exist and to be relevant for both policy fields, functional, flexible and soft spaces are gaining importance. Despite these parallel developments, the two policy fields remain disconnected due to their unique origins, different policy rationales, varying logics of implementation as well as prevailing political concerns. However, we understand the developments towards functional and soft spaces as yet another opportunity to establish stronger links between EU Cohesion Policy and spatial planning in the member states. A stronger integration could help to strengthen the territorial perspective in EU Cohesion Policy, to provide financial resources for the achievement of strategic objectives in planning, and to harmonise different sectoral policies under the umbrella of spatial planning.