Abstract

Two phases of local and regional development policies in Europe (and particularly in Italy and France) are analyzed: the decentralization phase starting in the 1980s and prevailing in the 1990-2000 decade, and the recentralization phase characterizing the second part of the 2000-2010 decade and ongoing. Reasons for, and weaknesses of, both trends are taken into account and analysis of main policies at local, urban and regional level is carried on. The current crisis asks for new alternative approach: a typology of three kinds of local and regional development policies is sketched and a strong preference towards new «glocal» policies oriented to produce network and functional goods is finally proposed.