Cross-border metropolitan integration in Europe (Luxembourg, Basel and Geneva)

Bernard Reitel, Christophe Sohn and Olivier Walther

No 2009-02, IRISS Working Paper Series from IRISS at CEPS/INSTEAD

Abstract: This article questions the integration processes in three small cross-border metropolitan areas: Luxembourg, Basel and Geneva. By referring to an original analysis framework, it evaluates the nature and intensity of the functional and institutional integration and highlights the elements that structure the cooperation between the actors. The analysis shows that there is not necessarily a reciprocal link between the size of the functional area and the extent of the cooperation. Whilst no metropolitan-sized project is on the agenda in Luxembourg, the example of Basel and Geneva shows that the presence of a national border offers an opportunity to invent original forms of governance, increase the autonomy of the local authorities by different types of cooperation which transcend the institutional and territorial divides, and enable the international character of the metropolitan centre to be valued for what it is. In a context of global competition, these features represent an undeniable benefit.

Keywords: Metropolitan regions; governance; border studies; integration; Europe (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 25 pages
Date: 2009-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eec, nep-geo and nep-pbe
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (28)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:irs:iriswp:2009-02

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