The first years of the 90s have witnessed thorough political
and economic changes in northern Europe. The long period of
strong political separation between east and west and the
less strong economic separation between the northern and
southern sides of the Baltic Sea seemed to be replaced by
far-reaching integration. There is no doubt that further
integration will have additional impacts on the regional
patterns in northern Europe. The amplitude and composition
of these changes are difficult to project.
In this volume a number of scholars in regional science and
related disciplines (geography, economics, environmental and
political sciences, planning) have brought together
important material on the current processes that reshapes
northern Europe. Visions andstrategies on local, national
and supranational levels are penetrated in depth. A "mosaic"
vision of the regional development pattern emerges
highlighting the importance of cooperative and competitive
strategies affecting the local conditions of European
regions.