Double transformation at the eastern border of the EU: the case of the Euroregion pro Europa Viadrina |
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Authors: | H Bertram |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Economic Geography, University of Frankfurt/Main, Germany |
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Abstract: | One of the major means to foster European integration is the establishment of border spanning regions (‘Euroregions’). This
is particularly important on the Eastern borders of the EU, e.g. in Eastern Germany. There, however, a double transformation
to post-socialist society is taking place, both inside and outside the EU. Tensions arise between objectives on local and
higher political levels, intensified by totally different economic structures and access to EU funds on both sides of the
border. This is particularly true for the case of the emerging Euroregion Viadrina. Problems in preserving old industrialised
localities in East Germany (e.g. steel) and attempts to resurrect the urban fair place Frankfurt/Oder, clash with transition
in agriculture and consumer industries and with new concepts in tourism development and environmental protection in the Polish
border zone. In region building, political, economic and ideological goals compete with each other. Local initiatives and
higher political governance may both support and hamper each other. The same holds true for the interdependence of cultural
integration and economic development. The paper concludes that regional economic development can only be expected if, via
the building of the Euroregion, the interplay of these factors leads to compromise and harmonization between the different
parties involved.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | cross-border region transformation regional economic development Poland Germany |
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