regional cooperation: METROBORDER

Cross-Border Polycentric Metropolitan Regions

Theme
Cross-border polycentric metropolitan regions (Metroborder)

Thematic scope
Metropolitan regions are generally seen as drivers for territorial development in the national context, as well as drivers for economic, social and cultural development on a European and global scale. Many border regions dispose of specific potentials but also specific barriers for a cross-border polycentric metropolitan region. However, cross-border areas appear to be systematically underestimated in their development opportunities so that awareness about specific advantages needs to be improved.
This is why this project addresses cross-border metropolitan regions in Europe in relation to the policy aim of polycentric development. It aims at identifying criteria, potentials and governance practices based on available ESPON evidence for polycentric cross-border metropolitan regions in Europe and proposing options for development strategies towards a multilevel approach for two case study regions (Upper Rhine Region and the Greater Region).
Please read more about the main areas of analysis and main results envisaged on the next page.

Stakeholders

Federal Office for Spatial Development, ARE, Switzerland (Lead Stakeholder)
Ministry of the Interior and for Spatial Planning, Directorate for Spatial Planning, Luxembourg
Interministerial delegation to the spatial planning and the competitiveness of the territories (DIACT), France
Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, Germany
Ministry of the Walloon Region, Directorate for Spatial Planning, Housing and Heritage, Belgium

Lead partner
University of Luxemburg (Luxembourg)
Detailed information on the contracted project team can be found under Transnational Project Groups.
Budget: € 250.000,00
Project’s lifetime: January 2009 – December 2010
Delivery of Reports
Inception Report: 9 April 2009
Interim Report: 28 February 2010
Draft Final Report: 31 October 2010
Final Report: 31 December 2010

More information
Please contact the Project Expert at the ESPON Coordination Unit:
René VAN DER LECQ, e-mail: rene.vanderlecq@espon.eu