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The Central European Research and Training Centre SPECTRA-PERSEUS grows and develops its research activities, based on interdisciplinary research of the issues of complex spatial development, with the emphasis on the problems of development of the settlement structures. Their optimisation and ensuring of sustainable spatial development are basic preconditions for balanced, environmentally bearable social and economic development.

The Centre with its activities contributes to economic, social and cultural integration in Europe. By permanent research and proposals of the solutions for optimisation of spatial structures of settlements it helps to meet the objectives of sustainable spatial development, management and planning as well as to balancing regional disparities, improving quality of life and strengthening of social equity in Europe.

There is a long and rich tradition and history in the research of spatial development in Bratislava, represented before all by the Faculty of Architecture STU and the URBION Institute. URBION, already in the times of the former CSSR, belonged to the outstanding research units in the field of urbanism and town and country planning which can be proved by missions of its professionals in the countries of Europe, Africa and Central America. Many of its staff collaborated with the FA STU, thus strengthening its research potential.

The Spectra, Centre of Excellence, is a training and research Centre, focused on generating and transfer of know-how and professional training in the field of spatial planning

Personal development strategy is part of the key programming and management documents of each top research and development centre and that is why its elaboration has been included in the project PERSEUS of the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Union as one of the deliverables. Elaboration of personal development strategy itself is not understood as one of the objectives of the project but as an important step in meeting its objectives.

Efficient and successful research of the SPECTRA Centre on the main current problems in the field of spatial development in the European context will be supported not only via bilateral collaboration but via integration in the existing and establishing of new networks. This allows the integration in the common interrelated databases for information exchange in the collaboration with the partnership institutions providing information and experience with launching similar databases, virtual and real face-to-face communication via mutual participation of the experts in the research projects, participation on networking events – conferences, workshops, elaboration of joint research projects or creating the networks of excellence.

One of the basic conditions for successful integration of the SPECTRA Centre into the common European research space in accordance with the goals of the SPECTRA PERSEUS project is the assurance of the quality and efficiency of its work. That is why the elaboration of the complex quality assurance system and its implementation became a part of this project.

The New Charter of Athens: A Charter for European Cities in the 21-st Century , was first published in 1998 and is regularly reviewed and redeveloped. Latest updates were performed during the summit of The European Council of Town Planners´ Vision for Cities in the 21-st century in Lisbon, at 20-th November 2003.

Spa-ce.net is a self-interest network integrating Central and Eastern European institutes and organisations active in the field of spatial research and planning. Each member institute is represented by its director and/or delegated persons. The network is continuously growing and is open to adopt new members.