• The Regional Centre Programme (RCP)
  • The urban network as a resource
  • Networked regional centres
  • Programme period 2001-2006
  • Programme period 2007-2010
  • More information »
    • Programme period 2001-2006
    • Regional Centre Networks
    • Results and Conclusions from Programme Period I
    • Regional Centre Programme 2007-2010

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Programme period 2001-2006

The Regional Centre Programme is a Government special programme, whose targets are functional urban regions integrated through commuting, habitation, and service production and demand. The objective of the programme is through the development of the strengths, specialisation and cooperation of regional centres to strengthen the network of regional centres covering all provinces.

The Regional Centre Programme has been implemented as of the beginning of 2002 on 34 urban regions covering 260 municipalities. The programme has been implemented as an integral part of the policy on regional centres and urban areas, steered by the objectives of Government Programmes and related Government decisions. The body in charge of the national management of the programme has been the Ministry of the Interior.

According to the impact objectives of the Government, regional centres will by the end of 2006 have functioning regional cooperation strategies and decision-making bodies, functioning cooperation networks with neighbouring regions, and functioning cooperation networks with businesses, educational institutions and research facilities within the region and in neighbouring regions. They will also have witnessed positive development in vitality variables (population, jobs, expertise, sectors, services, security, environment) as compared to 2000, and they will assert positive impact on the regional economy and expertise of the entire region.