The project aims at increasing our understanding of technological change and economic growth by integrating the time dimension of economic history with the spatial dimension of economic geography. The analysis of investment behaviour and technological diffusion in previous periods of industrial transformation and global market integration will provide long-term perspectives on the current process of transformation. Structural analysis in economic history can contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of regions in aggregate economic growth. A study of the relation between transformation at global, European and national levels on the one hand and regional development on the other will increase our understanding of the spatial dynamics. The way economic activities arise and are redistributed regionally corresponds to the way in which productive resources are reallocated between sectors over time. This warrants a coordinated study of the social capability of regions and sectors to exploit new technologies. An essential aspect is the relation between technological change and demand for skills and competence. Research on technology shifts and growth in a long-term perspective can also supply knowledge of vital importance for distinguishing the general from the unique in regional development. This may result in a renewed interest in the open urban system in contrast to the single unique region. Finally, the possibility of outlining future growth scenarios on national and regional levels will be considered.