The region involved faces a pre-accession situation and is geographically as well as functionally a interface to future EU enlargement. The region is characterised by highly diversified types of landscape and physical structures with a vast natural and cultural heritage. The system of central places is without a dominating agglomeration. The net of the north/south and east/west TEN- & TINA-corridors creates a strong impact on accessibility (sea, rail road, air), economic location development, economic exchange and future prosperity. There has been a tradition of exchanging information within the region in the framework of the ALPS-ADRIATIC working community and the previous period of INTERREG. However, there are still existing quite different administrative structures, planning systems, planning philosophies and systems of basic information needed for regional development issues. The resulting inconsistencies have a negative impact on a more balanced development of the region.