Introduction: historical institutionalist perspectives on European spatial planning

In a context in which European integration is strongly questioned by external forces (migration and safety issues) and centrifugal forces or even pressures for withdrawal by its Member States (Brexit), European Spatial Planning has been somewhat sidelined in the debates on EU’s goals, cohesion and future. The special session aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of these dynamics by revisiting the history of European Spatial Planning, from its rising to the progressive process of institutionalisation, both at the European and the national level, stressing its difficulties and idiosyncrasies. Dealing with the institutionalisation of European Spatial Planning, Historical Institutionalism conceptual framework used across the papers in this special issue allows for shedding more light on this processes, through the analysis of critical junctures and path dependency of planning and cohesion agendas, transnational networks and national institutions. This tighltly weaved collection of papers raises questions not only about the underlying arguments for European cohesion which are currently popular, but also warrants further attention in relation to the future – and envisaged further institutionalisation – of European spatial planning in light of current discussions about democracy in and legitimacy of the EU, and the European integration project as a whole in relation to national borders.