... to the PlaNet CenSE (Planners Network for Central and South East Europe) which is a project running under the framework of the EU Community Initiative Interreg IIIB of the Central Adriatic Danubian South Eastern European Space (CADSES). 25 project partners from 15 countries, being EU member states, candidate countries and neighbouring countries within the CADSES are building up this network aiming to deal with spatial development topics at transnational scale.

PlaNet CenSE serves as a gateway for a mutual transfer of information and know-how between non-EU member states and EU member states and should facilitate the integration of spatial development institutions and actors of non-EU member states into the European spatial development networks. Since especially at European level an intensive discussion is going on about the polycentric development concept, an interpretation of this concept at the transnational level is envisaged in order to identify and analyse the existing metropolitan network and its potentials for future development, especially through co-operation initiatives. Also trans-European transport networks are regarded as important pre-conditions for good economic development, but so far the focus is on improving East-West connections within Europe.
Therefore, PlaNet CenSE is investigating potential improvements of rail infrastructure connecting the Baltic with the Adriatic Sea, serving as "backbone" strengthening the development of metropolitan networks in Central and South-East Europe.

PlaNet CenSE is not a new starting point for such activities, it is a succession project of the lead project VISION PLANET of the former Interreg IIC CADSES programme which brought together actors from 12 countries in the area including all the former candidate countries of the area and additionally Croatia and (at that time) Yugoslavia as collaborating partners. Despite the heterogeneity and diversity of the participating countries the project was a success in many respects. The project leading committee recommended formally the continuation in a follow up-project in November 2000 where all the partners stressed their interest to continue these efforts.