The ESPON 2013 Programme, the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion, was adopted by the European Commission on 7 November 2007.

The mission of ESPON is to support policy development in relation to the aim of territorial cohesion and a harmonious development of the European territory by (1) providing comparable information, evidence, analyses and scenarios on territorial dynamics and (2) revealing territorial capital and potentials for development of regions and larger territories contributing to European competitiveness, territorial cooperation and a sustainable and balanced development.

This project should result in easy-to-use ‘quick-scan’ web tool that will allow an initial overview of the risks and opportunities for European cities, the potentials for investment and allow benchmarking as well as comparisons of cities using typologies.

Project obtained in partnership with the company Geodan (http://www.geodan.nl).