The Europeanization of Development Planning in Valencia

Abstract

Europeanization involves the diffusion of European institutions. In Valencia, the system of land development prompted many foreign property owners to appeal to European institutions. The Petitions Committee of the European Parliament took up their case and requested intervention by the European Commission. The European public procurement proceedings provided the strongest foothold for action in Europe and the European Commission instituted infringement proceedings on the selection of private urbanizing agents who are placed in charge of the land readjustment and the servicing and financial arrangements for comprehensive development zones. The European Court of Justice dismissed the action as the Commission did not provide sufficient evidence to show that these relationships were not a service concession, as Spain maintained. This case shows that even in cases that flout European law, it is still European law that decides whether they are exempt and, consequently, that the deliberate construction of practices to keep a case outside the scope of European law may qualify as Europeanization.