Integrated territorial investments and the ‘Europeanization’ of spatial planning and territorial development in Greece: weakening institutional dualism?

Abstract

The paper explores the dynamics of the Europeanization of spatial planning and territorial development in Greece following the introduction of the integrated territorial investment (ITI) mechanism. These dynamics evolve in the context of so-called ‘development programming’ and ‘regulatory planning’ systems which mostly operate in parallel to each other–a case of institutional dualism. Based on the analysis of interviews with experts and institutional actors, and of relevant documentation (policies, strategies, laws, etc.), the paper argues that the introduction of the EU’s new territorial delivery mechanisms strengthen local capacity to implement territorial development plans and may potentially weaken institutional dualism.