The report addresses fundamental regional policy concerns, such as: problem recognition; the objectives of regional policy; the legal/institutional framework; the urban/rural framework; budget structures; and the governance mechanisms linking national and sub-national governments as well as sectors.

The report will help countries to better understand regional policies and to formulate and diffuse horizontal policy recommendations. The analysis suggests an important role for regional policies in shaping sustainable endogenous development, in particular well-developed governance mechanisms to better respond to the different opportunities and demands of regions and to improve policy efficiency.

This report is a unique source of regional policy information and of special interest to policy makers, researchers, and others engaging with regional development.


Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Regional Development Policy Trends in OECD Member Countries
Introduction
1.1. Problem recognition and objectives of regional development policy
1.2. Legal and institutional frameworks
1.3. Governance
Conclusions and areas for future research: toward the development of policy indicators
Bibliography
Annex 1.A1. Original Data
Chapter 2. Country Profiles
Annex A. Profiles of EU Policy
Regional Policy of the European Union
Regional problems
General objectives of regional policy
Legal/institutional frameworks of regional policy
Main implementation tools
Budget structure
Governance structures
Bibliography
Annex B. Comparative Analysis of Cross-border Co-operation in OECD Member Countries
Europe: rules and incentives for cross-border co-operation
North America: a focus on economic integration
Categorising cross-border co-operation
Comparing European and North American cross-border co-operation
Lessons from existing cross-border co-operation
Bibliography
Annex C. Urban-rural Linkages: In View of Controlling Urban Sprawl
Introduction
Managing urban growth: rate and geographic scale
Financing urban growth in an efficient and equitable way
Basic tools for land management
Conclusions
Bibliography