Researching in geography beyond the spatial planning, matching science, theory and practice

The participation of Economic Geography in public policies, in particular in European ones, highlights some scientific questions relative to: 1) territorial diversity as the main factor for managing impacts and effects of the global crisis by offering endogenous and sustainable solutions; 2) the capacity of European policy to achieve these goals by means of general directives and common methodologies and procedures; 3) the potential of territorial dimensions to generate a competitive reaction to the crisis by translating general directives in endogenous place-based strategies and by applying common planning methodology. In particular, this paper will discuss some main issues: • In relation to a more economic development approach, what was the degree of inclusion of the territorial dimension (in terms of place based evidence and capability) within the policies aimed at competitiveness and sustainability (Lisbon/Gothenburg Strategy ex ante evaluation) in the European context before the crisis? • In relation to a more integrated development approach, how the territorial diversity concept could be used to face the crisis and by what planning methods? The aim is to reflect also on decision making process, on how to recover impacts of the crisis and the gap between the regional adaptive capability and goals of the competitiveness re-launch (Europe 2020 Strategy). The introduction in the planning practice of new concepts, terms and localised phenomena studied by ESPON applied research appears a useful way to integrate and update the current strategic plans in a European shared approach. However, the main issue is related to new planning methodologies which are able to achieve the objectives of the Territorial Agenda 2020.