Diversity within regions is often considered one way to achieve sustainability and stability in economic growth and development.  As a region’s social and economic structure becomes more diverse, it becomes less sensitive to external shocks. Variety in economic activities as well as divergent local cultures within the region is a source of regional strength and resilience. The concept of resilience has often been used in regional development to define robustness, strength, flexibility and the ability to respond to external shocks. Building resilient regions is seen as particularly important in the wake of the global economic crisis as a new source of economic growth. This objective is emphasized both by the OECD’s agenda for stronger, cleaner and fairer economies and by EU2020’s call for smart, inclusive, sustainable economies.  The objectives in both agendas are complementary.The Regional Studies Association European Conference 2014 on ‘Diverse Regions: Building Resilient Communities and Territories’ presents a timely opportunity to discuss these issues, to establish the need and nature of future research imperatives, and to address the concerns and challenges confronting policymakers and practitioners.Contributions are invited which fit with the following themes. Abstracts should not exceed 800 words.Borders and Cross Border CooperationClusters and Smart SpecialisationCommunity Economic DevelopmentCulture,  Creativity and ICTDeveloping Rural and Peripheral RegionsSustainability – Climate Change, Environment and Energy Regional Well-being and HappinessRole of Institutions in Regional DevelopmentRole of Social Networks in Regional DevelopmentSpatial JusticeSpatial Planning and InfrastructureRegional Development PolicyEntrepreneurship, Enterprise and Business ClimateGeographies of Global FinanceIndustrial Branching and Technological CohesionInnovation and Knowledge EconomiesLabour Markets and Migration Territorial Governance and Regional LeadershipTourism and Experience EconomiesUrbanisation and CitiesWomen entrepreneursThe economic adjustment of regionsPlenary Session 1: Regional Studies vs. Today's Challenges - Monday 16th June 2014 Professor Ron Boschma, CIRCLE at Lund University, Sweden Dr Amy Glasmeier, MIT, USA Plenary Session 2: Turkey's Regional Policies towards European Integration - Tuesday 17th June 2014Nahit Bingöl, Director General, Ministry for Development, Turkey Plenary Session 3: Culture, Creativity and Technology - Wednesday 18th June 2014 Professor Philip Cooke, Cardiff University, UK Professor Henrik Halkier, Aalborg University, Denmark