Territorial Agenda of the European Union (EU)

On 24 and 25 May 2007, an informal ministerial meeting was held in Leipzig within the framework of the German EU Council Presidency. At this meeting, the ministers responsible for spatial development in the Member States of the European Union agreed on the "Territorial Agenda of the EU".

The Territorial Agenda of the EU is a short policy paper with the aim of providing recommendations for integrated spatial planning policy in order to harness the potential inherent in the regions and cities of Europe for sustainable economic growth and more employment.

In addition, by making better and innovative use of the spatial diversity, Europe’s global competitiveness is to be enhanced. Europe is to be brought closer to its citizens and their scepticism is to be overcome.

The recommendations of the Territorial Agenda are based on an analysis compiled as an expert report in the document entitled "Territorial State and Perspectives of the EU".

During the Hungarian Council Presidency, the Territorial Agenda of the EU was subjected to a review in the first half of 2011. At the informal meeting of ministers responsible for spatial development in Gödöllö near Budapest, a new version of the Territorial Agenda was adopted with the title "Territorial Agenda 2020" (TA 2020). The basic document, "Territorial States and Perspectives", was also revised.

The TA 2020 was adapted to the changed European policy framework that has been created by the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon and the adoption of the "Europe 2020" strategy. It is also designed to address new challenges faced by spatial development, such as climate change and the financial and economic crisis. Finally, the new Territorial Agenda identifies how its objectives can be better integrated into the sectoral policies with a spatial impact.

In November 2011, under the Polish Council Presidency, a "road map" with specific implementation measures for the TA 2020 was adopted at the informal ministerial meeting in Poznan. These include paying greater attention to spatial aspects in EU structural funding and a new regulatory framework for the ESPON programme.

Contact: RefSW14@bmvbs.bund.de