Strategic Spatial Projects presents four years of case study research and theoretical discussions on strategic spatial projects in Europe and North America. It takes the position that planning is not well equipped to take on its current challenges if it is considered as only a regulatory and administrative activity. There is an urgent need to develop a mode of planning that aims to innovate in spatial as well as social terms.

1. Introduction: Strategic Spatial Planning Through Strategic Projects Stijn Oosterlynck, Louis Albrechts and Jef Van den Broeck Part 1: Spatial Transformation Through Social Innovation 2. Transformative Practices: Where Strategic Spatial Planning Meets Social Innovation Louis Albrechts 3. Multiple Voices, Competing Spatial Claims: Social Innovation and the Transformation of the Angus Locoshops Brownfield Site (Montréal) Barbara Van Dyck 4. Analyzing Social Innovation Through Planning Instruments. A Strategic-Relational Approach Pieter Van den Broeck 5. Commentary: When Solidarity Boosts Strategic Planning Frank Moulaert Part 2: Designing Strategic Projects for Spatial Quality 6. Spatial Design as a Strategy for a Qualitative Social-spatial Transformation Jef Van den Broeck 7. Developing Shared Terms for Spatial Quality Through Design Marleen Goethals and Jan Schreurs 8. Transcending Boundaries: Design as a Medium for Integration in the 'Rurban' Landscape Elke Vanempten 9. Commentary: Some Reflections on the Project as Producer of Knowledge Paola Vigano 10. Commentary 2: Some Reflections on Design as a Medium for Integration in the 'Rurban' Landscape Bernardo Secchi Part 3: Social and Spatial Sustainability in Strategic Projects 11. Why Sustainability is so Fragilely Social... Frank Moulaert 12. Strategies for Sustainable Spatial Development: Operationalizing Sustainability in Strategic Projects Stijn Oosterlynck, Trui Maes and Han Verschure 13. Understanding Land Use Conflicts in Strategic Urban Projects: Lessons from Ghent Sint Pieters Tom Coppens 14. Commentary: Strategic Projects: From Sustainability to Resilience? Jean Hillier 15. Epilogue Stijn Oosterlynck, Jef Van den Broeck and Louis Albrechts