This dissertation would not have been possible without the support of the many people who were involved in it in direct or indirect ways.First and foremost I want to thank my two promotors. Wil Zonneveld, my main promotor, has accompanied my work consistently, patiently, and with much empathy. Without his curiosity for my practical experience, his extensive knowledge about the key concepts and context that my work is engaged with, his openness towards my evolving positions, and his enduring trust in my abilities to substantiate these, this thesis would not have been possible. Vincent Nadin, co-promotor, has inspired many of the decisive decisions I took during the dissertation, thanks to his concise and critical comments.I thank journal editors who helped this research by their reviews of the articles that form part of it. As this research evolved as an exploratory case-study analysis involving theory formation, their constructive and critical comments have played an particularly important part. I thank conference organisers, specifically the ones who have helped organize the Round Table at the AESOP conference 2014: Emerging regional design in an era of co-governance and co-evolution. I thank my fellow researchers who discussed and commented on my work during the course of the dissertation. My specific gratitude goes to Agnes Förster and Valeria Lingua. During our preparation of the conferences 'Shaping Regional Futures: Mapping, Designing, Transforming!' and 'Shaping Regional Futures: Designing and Visioning in Governance Rescaling' we had long and fruitful discussions on regional design. Together with Alain Thierstein and Giuseppe de Luca they hosted the conferences in Munich in October 2015 and Florence in May 2017. Both conferences were unique and, for me, very important opportunities for exchange. I also thank Andreas Faludi who has helped me structure my thoughts at critical stages of this research, and who has inspired me.I thank colleagues at TU Delft, with whom I could share experiences. I feel specific gratitude for Maurits de Hoog, who was my supervisor when I started at the Department of Urbanism. He provided me with intellectual freedom at the start of my dissertation. Without his generosity, this research would have taken another path, away from my own interests. I also thank Remon Rooij, who has supported me during the last stage of the work, as voluntary daily supervisor. TOC I want to thank my friends: Ellis ten Dam, for her extensive strategic advice on how to proceed during the ups and downs of this dissertation and her optimism about it; Dena Kasraian, for her always realistic estimation of where I was standing; Jelte Boeijenga, for reflecting with me on where this all could lead, Jorge Gil for his practical advice, and Leo van den Burg for being there. I thank my family. I thank Clemens and Lissy for hosting me during the most productive periods of this dissertation. I thank my sisters: Sabine, who encouraged me to be practical, and Bettina, who encouraged me to be ambitious. I thank my daug...