Supraregional Partnerships in Large Cross-Border Areas—Towards a New Category of Space in Europe?

Abstract

Border regions in Europe not only face disadvantages but are also characterized by specific development potentials. At the moment supra-regional coalitions at different spatial levels are emerging in Europe. In addition, along Germany's western border four large border regions joined a demonstration project on supraregional partnerships in order to establish a new form of cross-border regionalization in economically strong cross-border regions and to gain higher visibility in Germany and Europe. This article reflects on indicators for the delineation of such cross-border regions and highlights that availability of comparable data on cross-border flows and interweaving is generally poor. However, specific characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of large border regions can be identified. This article finally draws conclusions on consequences for cohesion policy after 2013 and incorporates the German experiences into the debate on cross-border and transnational coalitions emerging in Europe.

Notes

1. These questions have been considered in a study by Technische Universität Dresden on behalf of Ministerium für Umwelt des Saarlandes (Wiechmann et al., 2009b).

2. The four cross-border regions investigated, Euregio Maas-Rhine, Greater Region SaarLorLux, Trinational Metropolitan Region Upper Rhine and Region Bodensee, affect in total eight countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Austria.

3. A study on strengths and weaknesses of large cross-border regions has been carried out by Technische Universität Dresden on behalf of Ministerium für Umwelt des Saarlandes (Wiechmann et al., 2009a).