Theoretical Framework of the Cross-border Space Production – The Case of the Eurometropolis Lille–Kortrijk–Tournai

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to outline a theoretical reflection on the production of cross-border space to capture its complexity and to analyze its structure. A conceptual framework has been developed to understand this issue. It reveals firstly that contextual factors are involved in the production of cross-border space, because they influence the territorial dynamics within it. On the other hand, two processes intervene: the bordering highlights the paradoxical relationship between the (geo)political and societal approaches of the border while cross-border integration appears as the engine of the production of the cross-border space. In order to better understand the features and functioning of the latter process, the concept has been deconstructed, highlighting four dimensions (structural, functional, institutional and ideational). The last part of this paper consists of the application of the grid analysis on the production of the cross-border space through the example of the cross-border metropolis of Lille–Kortrijk–Tournai.

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Antoine Decoville, Christian Lamour, Bernhard Koëppen and Christophe Sohn for their critical comments on drafts of the paper.

Notes

1 Cross-border cooperation is defined as a process that develops over a long time and goes through four phases: exploratory phase/structuring phase/programming phase/adjustment phase.

2 The number of cross-border projects and the total budget were calculated with data collected in Interreg program documents (covering the four periods: 1991–1994, 1995–1999, 2000–2006, and 2007–2013) from the website http://www.interreg-fwvl.eu/fr.

3 “The chamber of commerce of Tourcoing thus opposed in 1881 any measure aimed at limiting the work of foreigners, since the setting up of employment quotas for foreigners could do considerable harm to the profitability of businesses” (Rainhorn 2008: 23).

4 The border posts are still visible but there are some projects of reconversion under way: http://www.300ansdefrontiere.eu/index.php?page=page&pageID=36.

5 The modalities of border control for Belgian workers were fixed by the French administration after the Revolution of 1848. Several documents were required: passport, worker's booklet stamped with consular visa and certificate of earnings (Archives Départementales du Nord, 1848, série M administration générale et économie, M 174-3). Yet the formalities changed over time: (i) they were relaxed between 1852 and 1858 (simple presentation of worker's booklet stamped with consular visa); (ii) a period of stricter measures between 1858 and 1874, following the attempt on Napoléon III, with an increase in administrative procedures, and paying a deposit of 2.50 francs (Archives Départementales du Nord, 1858, série M administration générale et économie, M 604-9) then again the re-establishment of a general passport regime in 1871 (Circulaire du Ministère des Affaires étrangères, 28 avril 1871); (iii) a period of general and complete opening of borders for foreigners between 1874 and 1914 (Circulaire du Ministère des Affaires étrangères, 26 mars 1874, 15 juillet 1874 et 26 août 1878); and lastly (iv) a period of regulation between 1917 and 1939 (to limit the number of cross-border workers), which, first of all, made an identity card compulsory and imposed a duty of registration for foreigners at 8.80 francs, before bringing in a border card in 1928 valid for two years and validated by a Belgian mayor, the employer and French employment inspection agency (Boutillier, Laperche, and Mudard 2002).

6 The ‘Conférence Permanente Intercommunale Transfrontalière’ (COPIT) united five inter-municipal groupings: LEIEDAL (inter-municipal grouping for the regional development of Kortrijk), WVI (inter-municipal grouping for West Flanders, around Roeselare), IEG (inter-municipal grouping for studies and management, around Mouscron), IDETA (inter-municipal grouping for Economic Development and Planning, around Tournai) and LMCU (Lille Metropolis Urban Community).

7 Many fields have been covered by the Franco-Belgian Parliamentary working group: urbanism, spatial planning, transports, telecommunications, employment, tax, business development, water and environment, health and care, teaching, training, security.

8 http://www.eurometropolis.eu/who-are-we/14-founding-institutions.html.

9 Multiple initiatives are organized: cross cultural events, providing a Franco-Dutch guide to learn and communicate with neighbors … 

10 For example, INNOV'EUROMETROPOLIS project is an initiative to develop a joint cross-border dynamics in the field of innovation.

11 The cross-border spaces are flexible spaces, which may have a functional area different than an institutionalized perimeter.

Additional information

Funding

This paper draws on research conducted for the project EUBORDERSCAPES (290775) funded by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7-SSH-2011–1), Area 4.2.1 The evolving concept of borders. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the ABS World Conference in Joensuu/St-Petersburg in 2014.