Policy and Planning Perspectives

Abstract

The characteristics of the Swedish socio-economic continuum is, to a considerable extent, influenced by planning and policy-making. In this chapter we describe long-term and current changes in macro-economic, political and planning conditions. As a result of the emergence of more individual rather than collectivistic values, private rather than public initiatives and increasing periodic mobility for many individuals, a social change is taking place in many regions, rural as well as urban and central as well as peripheral. The important administrative and planning region of the municipality as well as the functional region of the local labour market change their signification. The functions of different regions are becoming more mixed at the same time as each region is trying to develop a profile in order to meet increasing international competition.