Regional planning policies in the Balearic Islands

The paper presents an overview of the Balearic Islands' recent history of urban, regional and tourism policies, with special focus on the last decade. The main conclusion is within the implemented policies two traditions can be identified: a conservation or sustainability-led one - which is the most known outside the archipelago -, and a less publicized but more developmental or business-led trend. The first has been linked primarily to protection of natural areas and some sort of growth restraint, whilst the latter is especially associated with infrastructure development and promoting economic activity.