The “new generation” of Strategic Planning: How to assess its impact as an Instrument of Territorial Governance?

Abstract

Globalization processes have changed the concept of “territory”, which is less perceived as a physical support and more as a collective construction. In this context strategic planning is considered an instrument of territorial governance aimed at transforming the territories and achieving further development through the mobilization of their territorial capital. However, this renewed interest in urban strategic planning contrasts with the lack of studies from the governance perspective. This article analyses the increasing importance of the “new generation” of strategic planning in the current European context, especially in the framework of the Cohesion policy, and provides an operational definition to assess its impact in terms of governance.