Place is a no man's land

A recent survey concerns the use of the place-based approach to territorial development throughout Europe.Places, according to the Barca Report, are drawn as frames which are irrespective of political boundariesfor integrating policies with spatial impacts. For this very reason, they are also a no-man’s land each in thesense of no one government being responsible. Where does this leave the democratic legitimacy of placegovernance? The question may also be asked whether territorial representation is the only way of producinglegitimacy in a network society. Raising the issue is certain to meet with opposition, especially since alternativesare anything but clear. The epilogue discusses Europe as a place and reflects on European governance.