This study aims at taking forward the analysis on the European urban system developed by the ESPON project 1.1.1 (LINK). In doing so it will consolidate the delimitation of functional urban areas in Europe and go further in measuring the functional socio-economic specialisation of urban areas. Based on these new research findings, the project will then update the typology on European urban areas developed within ESPON so far and propose future research on the European urban system.