  GPS and CSS radio sources are the objects of choice to investigate the
evolution of young radio-loud AGN. Previous investigations, mainly based on
number counts and source size distributions, indicate that GPS/CSS sources
decrease significantly in radio power when evolving into old, extended objects.
We suggest this is preceded by a period of increase in radio luminosity, which
lasts as long as the radio source is confined within the core-radius of its
host galaxy. We have selected a sample of nearby compact radio sources,
unbiased by radio spectrum, to determine their radio luminosity function, size
distribution, dynamical ages, and emission line properties in a complete and
homogeneous way. First results indicate that the large majority of objects
(>80%) exhibit classical GPS/CSS radio spectra, and show structures consistent
with the being compact double, or compact symmetric objects. This sample
provides and ideal basis to further test and constrain possible evolution
scenarios, and to investigate the relation between radio spectra and
morphologies, orientation and Doppler boosting in samples of young radio-loud
AGN, in an unbiased way.
