The papers of this book are concentrated around the topic of the development and the formulation of guiding principles, concepts or visions for spatial planning and policy. In German we use a term not yet well known in international contexts - Leitbilder. For the non-German audience it might be important to know that within the German context we are dealing with a rather complex federal system. In this regard, this book reflects the use of guiding principles, concepts or visions – Leitbilder – for spatial planning and policy at the different federal levels. This includes the European level or cross-border relations at the macro level and the micro level of the local community as well. It includes rather theoretical reflections about the "philosophies" behind such concepts as well as the very concrete analysis of local concepts required by local communities with different historical traditions and backgrounds.