ESPON is an INTERREG funded multinational planning and related information research project. It has a European and international focus and seeks to inform a better understanding of spatial and territorial cohesion policies in the EU. The National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) is the national contact point for the Republic of Ireland.

The ICLRD is assisting this initiative by providing links to the ESPON website to make available comparative European planning information and databases to practitioners, administrators and policy-makers on the island of Ireland.

The links above will take you to ESPON resources within http://www.espon.eu

Also see ESPON UK Network hosted by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) at www.rtpi.org.uk/espon/

New ESPON Website

ESPON announced the launch of its new website. New navigation and layout make it more user-friendly and easier to find information on projects, publications, events, calls, indicators and scientific tools, all related to territorial development and dynamics in Europe.

The new website – available at www.espon.eu features one-click navigation that provides easy access to 7 main themes reflecting user needs: Programme, Projects, How to Apply, Events, Scientific Tools, Publications and Press.

Peter Mehlbye, Director of ESPON Coordination Unit, said: “The new website is really important for the capitalisation of the ESPON activities. It represents a great resource of European evidence and facts related to territorial development and cohesion that can support policy makers, practitioners and scientists in their work. I hope that the new ESPON Website – informing how ESPON works, what ESPON is about, what ESPON does, etc. – will succeed in meeting the evolving need of our audience for easy-accessible, reliable and comparative information about regions and cities in a European context”.

New features of the website include FAQ, Abbreviations and more Links. A number of additional features are under development such as video clips and the use of pictures. That will make the ESPON Website even more appealing. During the switch-over to the new layout, you may have
problems with the new pages but (hopefully!) just for the next few hours. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

ESPON Map of the month “Economic Performance of European Regions”

The current map offers focus on the regional diversity in Europe in the light of a combined indicator with a clear economic focus related to the Lisbon/Europe 2020 Strategy.

Vacancy at the ESPON Coordination Unit

The ESPON Coordination Unit is currently looking for a Project Expert/Cluster Coordinator for Capitalisation, Publications and Analyses to join our international team as early as possible in 2010. Deadline for submitting an application is 22 March 2010. The job advert is online at the ESPON website.

Best wishes,

Brendan Bartley

ESPON ECP Ireland

NIRSA NUI Maynooth