• select indicators for spatial development, and
• suggest possible strategic directions, which should be followed up and elaborated in policy terms.

In consequence, a Study Programme on European Spatial Planning (SPESP) was set up as a pilot action under Article 10 of the Structural Funds in co-operation between the EU Member States and the European Commission. DG REGIO acted as client for the Study Programme and financed more than 50%. In addition, the methodology to develop the Internet service and the CD-Rom presentation of all SPESP materials was provided by ASSEMBLING research project (4th Framework programme), DG TREN. The Study Programme was also a test exercise, intended to provide insights on how a possible future European Spatial Planning Observatory Network (ESPON) could be organized and what could be expected of it.