The binational reality of border-crossing cities |
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Authors: | Jan Buursink |
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Institution: | (1) Nijmegen Centre for Border Research, Department of Human geography, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9108, 6500 HK Nijmegen, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | In a time of changing border functions city pairs on either side of national state borders have increasingly become objects
of attention, because of border crossing contacts and co-operation at the local level. This paper focuses on conceptual aspects
of such city pairs, owing their existence to either duplication of an already existing city or to partitioning of a once united
city. In search of a proper name that expresses the relations between such partner cities without metaphorical exaggeration,
the current vocabulary is reviewed. Especially the notion of the ‘binational city’ receives critical attention. A discussion
of selected cases of paired cities in Europe and North-America has been included to underline the importance of local conditions
and historical backgrounds with regard to the mutual relations and conditions of co-operation. In conclusion the author states
that for the time being ‘border–crossing’ cities seems to be the best name for city pairs of different national backgrounds,
the emergence of true ‘binational cities’ being a rather exceptional outcome in a far future.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | border (crossing) cities adjacency binational duplication partition integration |
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