What are the likely long-term implications of this shift to Asia for the cities and regions of Europe? To just 'wait and see' cannot be the response, nor the hope that the attractiveness of Asia will diminish over time and that the economic growth will slow down. Will Europe be able to retain its economic power? There is a need to think about possible futures for the cities and regions of Europe when industrial production is reduced, when high-tech and bio-tech industries do not compensate for the loss of industrial jobs, when Europe's supremacy in financial services is eroding, or even when Chinese capital is investing in Europe to exploit the territorial capital of the 'old' continent. China and Europe address the challenges for the cities and regions of Europe that may be the consequences of such development trends. Contributions by policy-makers and academic observers will prepare the ground for debating the dimensions 'economy', 'knowledge and culture', 'environment and mobility', 'quality of life', and 'governance' of this challenge.

What are the likely long-term implications of this shift to Asia for the cities and regions of Europe? To just ?wait and see? cannot be the response, nor the hope that the attractiveness of Asia will diminish over time and that the economic growth will slow down. Will Europe be able to retain its economic power?

There is a need to think about possible futures for the cities and regions of Europe when industrial production is reduced, when high-tech and bio-tech industries do not compensate for the loss of industrial jobs, when Europe's supremacy in financial services is eroding, or even when Chinese capital is investing in Europe to exploit the territorial capital of the ?old? continent.

China and Europe address the challenges for the cities and regions of Europe that may be the consequences of such development trends. Contributions by policy-makers and academic observers will prepare the ground for debating the dimensions ?economy?, ?knowledge and culture?, ?environment and mobility?, ?quality of life?, and ?governance? of this challenge.

Originally published in French as Le territoire europeen: des racines aux enjeux globaux, this book reflects the enormous changes that Europe has seen in the past half century. In a period of immense upheaval, the continent has experienced increased integration, largely through the development of the European Union, heightened urbanization and a changing rural landscape, while economic and commercial activities have impressed their stamp on the whole scene. In this book, Jacques Robert deploys the experience amassed throughout his 35 years' experience as adviser to European institutions in the field of territorial and regional development. The chapter on cities explains the emergence of the European urban hierarchy and the driving forces and inertia behind its evolution, while a following chapter looks at the changing role of rural areas. This material provides a historic overview of relevant policies and a discussion of future challenges. The third chapter discusses evolving paradigms of regional economic development and their impact on European regions. Next, there is a chapter on the historical roots and current processes within territorial integration. The book concludes with an examination of Europe's place in the world at large, focussing particularly on globalization effects, climate change and new energy paradigms, which will present real challenges for decades to come. The book is unique in its combination of in-depth analysis of the evolution of European territorial policies and paradigms, but also in its geographically comprehensive approach integrating the experience of both Western and Eastern Europe. It will be of interest to academics and professionals within territorial development and spatial planning.