This book examines the multifaceted landscape of regional development across Western Europe in the mid-1970s. It delves into the economic, social, demographic, and environmental factors shaping distinct regions, analyzing both overarching trends and specific case studies within individual countries. The work is structured to first provide a broad context of Western Europe's challenges and then to detail practical applications and regional specificities.

This collection of essays, originally published in 1975 and reissued as a Routledge Revival, offers a comprehensive snapshot of regional development concerns in Western Europe. The detailed country-by-country analysis provides a valuable historical perspective on the economic, social, and environmental factors that were shaping the continent's diverse regions at the time. Its structure, moving from broad European trends to specific national examples, allows for a thorough understanding of the complexities involved. The inclusion of a section on 'The Shape of Things to Come?' indicates an attempt to project future trajectories based on the contemporary data and analysis.