Spatial integration in European cross-border metropolitan regions: A comparative approach

This article analyses the process of spatial integration in ten European cross-border metropolitan regions. On the basis of three indicators, relating to flows of cross-border commuters, gross domestic product and the housing market, it suggests that spatial integration can be viewed as a process of convergence between distinct territories, resulting from the intensification of interaction between social, political and economic actors. Our results allow, firstly, confirmation of the hypothesis that the greater the economic disparities, the greater the level of interactions measured by cross-border commuting. Our work also shows that strong economic interactions have an impact on the cross-border integration of communities, measured by the proportion of residents based on the other side of the border. Finally, this article leads to three models of cross-border integration being proposed: by specialisation, by polarisation and by osmosis.cross-border; metropilitan regions; spatial integration; commuters; gross domestic product; housing market; Europe

Challenges and obstacles in the production of cross-border territorial strategies: The example of the greater region

Cross-border strategies have been flourishing over the last few decades in Europe, mostly in a favourable context where European funding is available and legal instruments are well-developed. However, one may wonder which objectives are really targeted within this very broad and imprecise notion of cross-border strategy. The purpose of this paper is, first, to provide a theoretical framework in order to better understand the different meanings of the notion of cross-border integration and to provide a more critical perspective on its effects. Secondly, it analyses the policy content of the cross-border territorial strategy developed within the Greater Region before, in the final section, pointing out the difficulties faced by policy-makers during its elaboration. This final section is based on the insights brought both by the regional stakeholders interviewed and by our expertise as moderators and scientific advisors within the working group in charge of the realisation of the cross-border territorial strategy. The main finding of our analysis is that the consensus that has been reached by all the stakeholders is the “smallest common denominator”; that is to say, the least constraining

The Limits of Polycentrism at the City-regional Scale: The case of Luxembourg

Over the last fifteen years, promoters of the European spatial planning policy have presented polycentrism as the most promising strategy for answering the challenge of a more even spatial development. However, there is still no empirical evidence proving that this conceptual tool is adaptable to all scales. In this paper, we propose two different approaches of urban hierarchy with regards to its capacity to structure spatial development at a city-regional scale: the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The first one depicts a classical urban hierarchy based on the location of urban amenities. The second one, which takes into account the accessibility to these amenities, shows the polycentric model in a more nuanced manner. Our results underline the differences between these two models and call for caution with respect to the adoption of the polycentric model at this spatial scale, since it could potentially lead to an increase in urban spraw

Building a cross-border spatial planning strategy between four countries: a wishful thinking?

Book of proceedings: Annual AESOP Congress, Definite Space – Fuzzy Responsibility, Prague, 13-16th July, 2015Since 2010 and the launch of the METROBORDER project, funded by ESPON, Luxembourg and the neighbouring regions in Belgium, France and German pursue the objective of creating a cross-border polycentric metropolitan region. This strategy should bring more coherence and cohesion within this region which is strongly functionally integrated, due to the very high number of cross-border commuters but which is still poorly institutionally integrated. We have been involved in the building of the economic part of this strategy as moderators and scientific advisors. As such, we were able to identify obstacles to cross-border cooperation. The objective of this presentation is to depict the gap between the initials ambitions and the strategy issued with the required critical distance. We propose to describe and analyse the policy content of this strategic territorial vision but, most of all, the difficulties faced by the policymakers in its elaboration. These problems are due mainly to institutional mismatches, diverging policy priorities and differences in planning cultures. We will also highlight the importance of trust between individuals, which remains understudied in the field of cross-border spatial planning but which is, according to our experience, a crucial parameter. In this difficult context, the consensus that has been reached by all the stakeholders is the “smallest common denominator”, that is to say the less constraining. Of course, such a posture is far from being enough to tend to a more coherent and integrated cross-border area.Published Versio

The Limits of Polycentrism at the City-regional Scale: The case of Luxembourg

Over the last fifteen years, promoters of the European spatial planning policy have presented polycentrism as the most promising strategy for answering the challenge of a more even spatial development. However, there is still no empirical evidence proving that this conceptual tool is adaptable to all scales. In this paper, we propose two different approaches of urban hierarchy with regards to its capacity to structure spatial development at a city-regional scale: the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The first one depicts a classical urban hierarchy based on the location of urban amenities. The second one, which takes into account the accessibility to these amenities, shows the polycentric model in a more nuanced manner. Our results underline the differences between these two models and call for caution with respect to the adoption of the polycentric model at this spatial scale, since it could potentially lead to an increase in urban sprawl

Vers une territorialité métropolitaine transfrontalière hybride ?

The objective of this article is to question territoriality in a cross-border metropolitan region. We develop the hypothesis that the new regionalism ideology which inspires the urban management beyond the State, implies power systems that are not necessarily related to multi-level governance and concrete actions favouring a territorial control without the definition of a new bordering of space. Networks of organisations define collectively a reticular urban territory. A quantitative analysis of social networks and a study of concrete actions related to public transports policies in the Luxembourg-Grande Région metropolitan area will enable us to study the structure of power and territorial building-up in the cross-border urban regions

Vers une territorialité métropolitaine transfrontalière hybride ?

Cet article vise à poser la question de la territorialité dans un espace métropolitain transfrontalier. Nous partons de l’hypothèse que le nouveau régionalisme qui inspire une gestion urbaine par-delà les frontières étatiques implique des systèmes de pouvoir pas nécessairement liés à une gouvernance multiniveaux et à des opérations concrètes favorisant un contrôle territorial sans nouveau bornage spatial. Des réseaux d’acteurs définissent collectivement un territoire urbain réticulaire. Une analyse quantitative des réseaux d’acteurs et un regard sur les opérations conduites en matière de transports publics dans l’espace métropolitain Luxembourg-Grande Région nous permettra d’explorer la physionomie du pouvoir et de la construction territoriale dans les régions urbaines transfrontalières.The objective of this article is to question territoriality in a cross-border metropolitan region. We develop the hypothesis that the new regionalism ideology which inspires the urban management beyond the State, implies power systems that are not necessarily related to multi-level governance and concrete actions favouring a territorial control without the definition of a new bordering of space. Networks of organisations define collectively a reticular urban territory. A quantitative analysis of social networks and a study of concrete actions related to public transports policies in the Luxembourg-Grande Région metropolitan area will enable us to study the structure of power and territorial building-up in the cross-border urban regions

: Regards croisés

International audienceCet ouvrage porte sur la cohésion sociale et territoriale au Luxembourg. Ses seize chapitres abordent les facettes socio-économiques et spatiales de ces concepts. Ils couvrent ainsi des domaines aussi variés que les inégalités monétaires (revenus, salaires, richesse, pauvreté), les inégalités non monétaires (logement, emploi, éducation, intégration des migrants) ou encore les inégalités en matière de mobilité et d’accès aux services publics. Grâce à un travail éditorial et explicatif minutieux, cet ouvrage réussit le pari d’être accessible au grand public tout en étant scientifiquement rigoureux. Un de ses atouts majeurs est son approche résolument interdisciplinaire. Près de quarante auteurs du Centre de recherche luxembourgeois CEPS/INSTEAD y ont contribué. L’économie, la géographie, la sociologie et les statistiques sociales s’y côtoient et apportent des éclairages complémentaires en croisant réellement les savoirs. En ancrant bon nombre de ses analyses dans une perspective internationale (englobant les pays limitrophes ou même l’ensemble de l’Union européenne), ce livre se penche aussi sur la mise en œuvre des politiques publiques en matière de cohésion (sociale et territoriale) dans un cadre supranational. Cet ouvrage est préfacé par Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et ancien président permanent de l’Eurogroupe

: Regards croisés

International audienceCet ouvrage porte sur la cohésion sociale et territoriale au Luxembourg. Ses seize chapitres abordent les facettes socio-économiques et spatiales de ces concepts. Ils couvrent ainsi des domaines aussi variés que les inégalités monétaires (revenus, salaires, richesse, pauvreté), les inégalités non monétaires (logement, emploi, éducation, intégration des migrants) ou encore les inégalités en matière de mobilité et d’accès aux services publics. Grâce à un travail éditorial et explicatif minutieux, cet ouvrage réussit le pari d’être accessible au grand public tout en étant scientifiquement rigoureux. Un de ses atouts majeurs est son approche résolument interdisciplinaire. Près de quarante auteurs du Centre de recherche luxembourgeois CEPS/INSTEAD y ont contribué. L’économie, la géographie, la sociologie et les statistiques sociales s’y côtoient et apportent des éclairages complémentaires en croisant réellement les savoirs. En ancrant bon nombre de ses analyses dans une perspective internationale (englobant les pays limitrophes ou même l’ensemble de l’Union européenne), ce livre se penche aussi sur la mise en œuvre des politiques publiques en matière de cohésion (sociale et territoriale) dans un cadre supranational. Cet ouvrage est préfacé par Jean-Claude Juncker, Premier ministre du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et ancien président permanent de l’Eurogroupe