The general aim of the research programme is to develop knowledge relating to the challenges facing regional development policy makers in applying the concept of sustainable development. With the proliferation of local initiatives relating to sustainable development, the research programme aims to involve research bodies in an issue which remains ill-defined and which still requires critical, methodological and prospective feedback.The programme is involved at the rural and semi-urban as well as urban levels.

To meet the demands of local authorities, the "Sustainable regional development policies" research programme was launched in April 2003 by the research and forecasting department of the ministry of ecology and sustainable development (MEDD) and the town planning, construction and architecture plan (PUCA) of the Ministries of Public Works, Transport, Regional Development, Tourism and the Sea. It's a continuation of the work and discussions which have been taking place over the last ten years.