At the beginning of the 21st century, the world's cities and territories are undergoing very important changes in response to a society that is constantly evolving. In Europe and in other developed parts of the world, cities are expanding over larger regional areas, giving rise to both problems and opportunities that did not exist previously and prompting the emergence of so-called "city-regions".

Today cities and territories compete with one another. The most innovative territories that are best positioned with respect to the future are those that have been able to define their “future profile” through a commitment to excellence in specific areas in which they can achieve competitive advantages.

This situation requires a new understanding of the relationship between cities and territories, characterised by increasingly complex inter-relationships, which demand different management instruments and policies with respect to traditional ones.

Organising territories in the 21st century is one of the major issues facing Humanity today. It requires a combined effort on the part of public institutions, the private sector, the civil society, universities, professionals and all the echelons of our society.

The “Territorios21. New ways of life. New ways of living” Forum has been organised with this objective in mind. It will be held at the “Rioja Forum” Congress Centre of La Rioja on November 8 and 9, 2004, and will coincide with the celebration of “World Town Planning Day” on November 8.

The Forum will analyse the economic, social and environmental challenges facing our cities and territories, which are the main driving forces fuelling our progress and must cater for the growing demand for quality of life on the part of citizens and optimise the use of environmental resources.

In short, "Territorios21" aims to foster the generation of a new culture regarding territory that will enable us to invent, reach a consensus on and construct our future in this exciting stage at the beginning of the new century.