Throughout both Western Europe and the former Soviet bloc, there has been a transition away from traditional heavy industry in certain peripheral areas. This has necessitated a complete restructuring of local economies of such regions. This text compares Scottish and Polish experiences.

In doing so, it aims to provide a fresh perspective on the relevant policy matters and stresses the importance of building appropriate institutional capacity to promote development.

Introductory overview: Transforming (worn out) industrial dynamos into strong regional economies - a comparison of the west of Scotland and Upper Silesia, George Blazyca and Andrzej Klasik
regional problems - regional policy and regional well-being - what have we learned in recent years?, Mike Danson. Economic transformation and restructuring - from heavy industry to weightless economy?: can regional policy meet the challenge of regional problems in Poland?, George Blazyca, Krystian Heffner and Ewa Helinska-Hughes
Polish regional policy and the problems of Upper Silesia after the first transformation decade, Andrzej Klasik and Krystian Heffner
the economic restructuring of the west of Scotland 1945-2000: some lessons from a historical perspective, John Foster. Social partnership and regional economic development: urban policy, "Modesty" and "Misunderstanding": on the mythology of "'Partnership" in urban Scotland, Chik Collins
building regional development capacity in Upper Silesia - problems and progress, Malgorzata Czornik and Krzysztof Wrana
social mobilization and local economic development, Janusz Hryniewicz
society in transition - social aspects in restructuring heavy industry regions, Marek Szczepanski. Stimulating enterprise: SMEs and regeneration - a comparison between Scotland and Poland, Mike Danson, Ewa Helinska-Hughes and Geoff Whittam
enterprise development in Upper Silesia - a difficult path in regional restructuring, Bogumil Szczupak
enterprise development: lessons for enterprise and enterprise clusters from Scotland's experience of regional policy, Mike Danson and Geoff Whittam. What Role for FDI?: foreign direct investment in Scotland: the Silicon Glen experience, Alistair Young
foreign direct investment in Upper Silesia - experience and lessons, Adam Drobniak.