Cross-fertilization between Spatial Planning and Cohesion Policy in Portugal: a view from within
Cross-fertilization between spatial planning and cohesion policy has been receiving increasing attention in Europe, due to the goal of spatial planning becoming an arena for policy integration and territorial coordination as well as the emphasis on the territorial dimension in the allocation of European funding. However, this cross-fertilization is harmed by inefficiencies, lack of local capacity, weak governance cultures and difficulties in matching EU-wide and domestic frameworks and initiatives. This seminar provides insights on the relation between spatial planning and cohesion policy in Portugal, a country that benefits widely from cohesion policy funds but has a deficit in articulation between spatial planning and regional development policies. The Portuguese case is discussed from the perspective of the revision of legal frameworks and agreements guiding planning and territorial development, the existing overviews on spatial planning and regional development policies, and the recent analysis of soft planning practices in Portugal and their relation both with EU Cohesion policy and spatial planning instruments and guidelines