Inner Peripheries: an oxymoron or a real challenge for territorial cohesion?

Abstract

Inner Peripheries remain, in many ways, territorial enigmas. Their geographical distribution is unknown, and the process through which they are formed is poorly understood. Little is known about how their geographical distribution has evolved over time. From the point of view of policy action, there are few examples of dedicated schemes and programs to halt or ameliorate the deprivation processes by which some inner areas become lagging and peripheral. It is fair to say that the principles and practice of policy responses to halt or ameliorate their marginalisation are poorly developed. This paper explores the origin of the inner periphery concept, proposes practical methods to delimit and map inner peripheries in Europe, and considers the potential policy implications.