Rural areas in Switzerland have undergone, during the last decade, the effects of internationalisation and opening of the markets for agricultural products as well as for industrial goods previously produced for a protected national market. The effects of urban sprawl, changes in tourist activities and different ecological crises have affected rural areas in Switzerland. In particular, the mountainous regions fear losing political influence and financial support as a project for revision of the regional policy conducted since the seventies is currently under consultation. In addition, as urban topics in Switzerland were underestimated for a certain time, urban areas of the country are now gaining a strong interest both in territorial sciences and territorial policy. In 2001, the Swiss Government has proposed to engage actively in policy of agglomerations. [...]