Archived.pdf

The European Union's territorial cohesion report highlights imbalances in population distribution, wealth, and access to services between the center and periphery of the Union. The report identifies polycentrism as a key concept to promote balanced development, with the goal of establishing alternative development centers to the core "pentagon" area where half the wealth and 40% of the population are concentrated. Territorial imbalances are substantial, with greater differences between the periphery and center in terms of demographics, GDP, and access to services such as transport, energy, and telecommunications. The report also notes significant gaps between urban areas in the center and periphery, with higher levels of education, research, and services in central cities, but also environmental problems and social exclusion. Regions with geographic handicaps, such as mountain areas, islands, and remote regions, face specific challenges, including population loss, lack of economic diversification, and limited access to services. The report emphasizes the need for policies to promote partnerships between urban and rural areas, and to support the development of regions with geographic handicaps.