Cross-border Regions Research Articles

The border in common: The Janus-faced place attachment of cross-border regions

For several decades, cross-border areas have been the setting for the successive deployment of various cross-border cooperation and integration mechanisms. These mechanisms aim primarily to facilitate mobility and interaction between actors through cross-border cooperation projects designed to create institutional cross-border areas. The current article takes an approach centred on attachment to places with the aim of determining whether cross-border areas make sense for their inhabitants. The analyses are based on a cross-sectional survey of 3,200 inhabitants of three institutional cross-border areas: Greater Geneva, the Basque Eurocity and the Eurometropolis of Lille Kortrijk Tournai. The methodology introduces into the field of border studies the technique of structural equation models for the measurement of place attachment using different explanatory variables. Several original results are found. First, place attachment is composed of both the sense of belonging to a country and the residential location of the members ego’s (the respondent) personal network. Second, two notable forms of attachment have an ambivalent relationship within the institutional cross-border areas: attachment to the border region of residence and attachment to the neighbouring border region. Specifically, the estimated attachment to the neighbouring border region favours the declared attachment to the institutional cross-border area. Subsequently, the estimated attachment to either border region also helps explain the choice of location for regular activities. Finally, the reported attachment to the institutional cross-border area is dependent on the individual’s social position. These results open up new perspectives on European integration policies that could rely more strongly on attachment to strengthen social cohesion in institutional cross-border areas.

Regulatory and legal regulation of the process of formation of administrative authorities and management in Subcarpathian Rus (Transcarpathia) in 1919–1926

It is indicated that the proper functioning of local executive power, the creation of an optimal system of local executive power bodies should ensure effective influence on the development of each region, especially the cross-border region. It is generally accepted that local bodies of executive power implement the functions of the state, which are close to the population. In Ukraine, a new people-centered model of activity of public administration subjects is being formed. The article examines the process of formation of administrative authorities and management in Subcarpathian Rus (Transcarpathia) during the first half of the 20s of the 20th century. It was established that the process of forming the structure of state administration in Subcarpathia began already at the beginning of 1919, and in the summer of the same year, several projects of the organization of government in the region were already developed in Prague. On the basis of the General Statute, the model of relations within the local government between the Directory, the administrator and the military leadership during 1919-1920 was analyzed. The formation of abstract departments at the Civil Administration, which was headed by an administrator, is briefly described. The importance of the changes introduced by the government decree No. 356/1920 «On amending the General Statute of Subcarpathian Rus» was revealed, according to which the functions and powers were radically redistributed in favor of the bodies that represented the central government in the region. The theory of the creation of two branches of administrative management in relation to the competence of the Civil Administration of Subcarpathian Rus is presented: autonomous institutions and institutions of the state. The description of the gubernatorial council as an advisory body under the governor is provided. It was noted that the new General Statute, in terms of the norms governing the activities of the vice-governor and the gubernatorial council, went beyond the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Republic. It is proved that the administrative reorganization in Czechoslovakia in 1925 and especially in 1927 only distanced Subcarpathian Rus from real autonomy, since the process of further centralization and unification of power and administration took place throughout the territory of the republic. Appropriate conclusions have been drawn regarding the retention and gradual incorporation (integration) of the region into the all-Czechoslovak legal system.

CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION: SHEDDING LIGHT ON OVERLOOKED DESTINATIONS

Purpose – The aim of this investigation is to explore opportunities for advancing cross-border tourism in the Iberian Peninsula. Methodology/Design/Approach – In this study, focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted to both public and private stakeholders in the cross-border regions. Findings – Findings indicate that the cross-border areas in Portugal and Spain are perceived by stakeholders from both countries as familiar territories and also that there are signs of transnational cooperation. This indicates there is significant potential for the advancement of cross-border tourism in the Iberian Peninsula. Nonetheless, the study concludes that more initiatives are required, beginning with the creation of an adequate organization to build the cross-border destination. Originality of the research – The research delivers managerial insights to assist public and private actors in developing this cross-border destination, such as the need to curtail contextual expenses or accentuate the public sector’s role in stimulating private sector’s involvement in the process.

The Cross-border Regions of Latin America: Incomplete or Peculiar?

ABSTRACT This article discusses the nature and structuring factors of cross-border regions in Latin America, from their contradictory interactions in the fervor of history, scales and the sociological realities of the region. From this perspective, the article briefly reviews the specific contexts in which these processes take place within the continent, in contrast to cross-border regionalization processes in other parts of the world. It then discusses the specific context of Latin America based on the overriding everyday factors, which it illustrates by weighing up two cases located on the borders of Peru and Chile and Brazil and Bolivia. Finally, it discuss certain heuristic challenges of these studies, such as the growing role of women in border processes, as well as the presence of indigenous peoples with their specific territorial visions.

Cross-Border Tourism Spatial Dynamics of the Greater Bay Area in China

ABSTRACT This research studies the spatial dynamics of tourism development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a cross-border region under a multi-level administrative structure in China. Specifically, it examines tourism spatial spillovers and convergence dynamics across Bay Area cities to assess the extent to which cities’ heterogeneous tourism development trajectories promote or inhibit the deepening of regional tourism cooperation. Results from spatial econometric modeling and nonparametric distribution dynamics reveal positive tourism spatial spillovers and convergence with stratification. Furthermore, certain factors, such as cities’ economic development, basic infrastructure, and tourism capacity, are key drivers of tourism development. Other factors, including cities’ tourism resources and transportation networks, need to be addressed for tourism expansion. These findings on the spatial landscape and determinants of cross-border tourism in the Bay Area provide useful insights into formulating regional policies on collective tourism development.

Cross-border mapping and cooperation: integrating and dividing practices

Cross-border cooperation (CBC) has emerged as a prominent domain of practices within the European framework, aligned with the European Commission’s objectives to foster harmonious development. This article addresses the empirical field of CBC between regional political stakeholders and public administrations in regional and local contexts at Europe’s internal borders. Despite the establishment of cross-border regions, borders are still perceived as barriers, prompting actors in CBC to develop strategies to transcend territorial boundaries. One such strategy is cross-border thematic mapping, which visually represents topics like infrastructure, demography and cultural heritage. The article explores how cross-border thematic maps contribute to the creation and thinking of the cross-border space as a region in the context of CBC. It presents empirical research and an interpretation, arguing that while cross-border cartography advances cooperation, it also poses unintended challenges. Applying a praxeological approach, the study conceptualizes map usage as practices, drawing on ethnographic data from public events in an anonymized cross-border European region. The study explores the practices of map usage and develops a theorization to understand the social dynamics of cross-border building with maps. By bridging the gaps in practice-oriented cross-border studies and CBC research, the article contributes to the understanding of the role of cross-border maps in regional development and social dynamics.

Cross-Border Institutional Trust in Post-Pandemic Times. The Role of EU b-solutions Initiative

ABSTRACT Mutual trust is an important element in starting cross-border processes, and institutional trust is vital to forging sound and effective cross-border cooperation. It is widely debated that the recent covidfencing process in Europe chipped away existing long and medium-term cross-border institutional ties, in most European borders, at least for some time. The fundamental point is that the sudden closing of national borders also revealed how important are effective and well-functioning cross-border institutions to direct the reopening of such borders into functional cross-border areas. To appreciate more in-depth the importance of cross-border institutional trust in post-pandemic times, this article analyses to what extent the EU b-solutions initiative contributes to reinforcing it along European cross-border regions. The analysis concluded that this EU initiative reinforces cross-border institutional trust by enhancing institutional capacity building, institutional knowledge sharing and stability/credibility as well as territorial integration in EU border regions. However, only a few European cross-border regions have benefited the most from this institutional support by b-solutions: the Benelux, plus Germany and France, as well as the Iberian cross-border areas.

Early-phase factors associated with pediatric severe dengue in the Thai–Myanmar cross-border region

BackgroundDengue disease is caused by dengue virus, which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Although most infected individuals have benign febrile illness or no apparent symptoms, a small percentage develop severe dengue, a potentially fatal condition that occurs after a febrile stage. Many studies have identified factors predicting dengue severity among different populations and time courses. To help find practical approaches applicable in remote settings, we focused on the investigation of early factors associated with severe dengue in Thai–Myanmar cross-border region.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study was performed to determine factors contributing to severe dengue in the pediatric population. We reviewed the hospital records of patients with dengue infection aged 0–19 years who were admitted to Maesot General Hospital, situated near the Thai–Myanmar cross-border region, between 2017 and 2022. Medical data during the first 5 days of illness and outcomes were collected and analyzed.ResultsThis study included 144 patients with a serologically confirmed diagnosis of dengue infection, with 43 severe and 101 non-severe cases. Among biological factors, being an infant and belonging to an ethnic group in Myanmar showed a significant association with severe dengue in the univariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the presence of mucosal bleeding (adjusted OR 5.39, 95% CI 1.06–27.52, P = 0.043), a change in hematocrit ≥ 10% (adjusted OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.15–11.74, P = 0.028), and serum albumin < 35 g/L (adjusted OR 8.10, 95% CI 2.55–25.72, P < 0.001) during the first 5 days of illness were significantly associated with developing severe dengue.ConclusionsThis study supports the use of certain WHO warning signs and hematocrit change during febrile phase to predict pediatric severe dengue in low-resource settings. Potential factors such as very young age and ethnic groups warrant further exploration to identify risks contributing to severe dengue infection.

Market Squares of Small Towns as Public Space of Opole Silesia on Selected Examples (Legal Status After 2015)

This paper presents the results of research on the diagnosis of the state of public space in the context of the evolution of its structure, on the example of market squares of small cities. The background to the research is the implementation of the Act on Ensuring Accessibility for Persons with Special Needs (The Accessibility Act, 2019) and the Revitalisation Act (2015), as documents with significant impact on the shape of public spaces in Polish cities. The multicultural and cross-border region of Opole Silesia was chosen as the research area. Six small towns in the region, whose market squares have undergone a revitalization in recent years, were selected for analysis: Biała, Dobrodzień, Korfantów, Otmuchów, Paczków, Ujazd. This article aims to diagnose the condition of public space, on the example of the market squares of small towns, based on the solutions adopted in the revitalization projects. The criteria adopted for the analyses are the identity of the place and continuity of development, accessibility, and adaptation to climate change. The research uses the method of comparative analysis of the morphological structure, the method of analyzing the physical parameters of space, and the analysis of historical iconography and cartography. Conducted analyses will make it possible to formulate an answer to the question of to what extent the introduction of the regulations as mentioned above has changed the approach to the revitalization process as a continuation of the historically formed way of building the urban fabric, and to what extent it has forced the introduction of solutions that violate the continuity of historical development. The result of the research will be a diagnosis of the problems in the revitalization processes of small towns in the multicultural area of the Opole region, in the context of current legal conditions, and sustainable development.

Cross-Border and Transboundary Resilience

Abstract In recent years, resilience at and across borders has become a major concern. However, borders are characterized by complexity, emergence and creativity. This implies the need to better understand how disasters and their inherent risks are practically handled in cross-border regions. In this special issue, a diverse range of articles explore the operational, social, and technological challenges inherent to cross-border resilience.

Governance of Cross-border Regions &amp; SEZs: The case of Gwadar under CPEC

Purpose: Examining the transformative impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this research investigates how CPEC fosters cross-border cooperation and regional development. The research focuses on transnational institution building and the creation of multi-scalar geographies involving diverse public and private agencies, reshaping regional, sub-regional, and local territories. Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a case study approach, the research focuses on Gwadar, the pivotal node of CPEC where the economic belt meets the maritime silk road. It integrates a literature review, analysis of official documents, and empirical data, supplemented by insights from independent researchers and international organizations such as the World Bank and IMF. Findings: The designation of Gwadar as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a globally competitive deep-sea port has introduced significant economic opportunities. However, multi-scalar interactions have led to tensions between central and local authorities, reflecting conflicts between the Centre-led macroeconomic agenda and its socio-economic sustainability at the local level. Implications/Originality/Value: The research emphasizes the need to rescale political, economic, and social structures to establish sustainable institutions in cross-border regions. It provides policy recommendations for Gwadar's development, drawing lessons from global best practices such as Dubai, Shenzhen, and King Abdullah Economic City.

INTEGRATION OF THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF LVIV OBLAST INTO THE EUROPEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF FORCED POPULATION MIGRATION

Transport logistics is designed to promote accessibility and mobility in society. When all the links in the system are in place, the movement of goods and services can be launched without additional intervention. However, sometimes situations arise that destabilise the logistics scheme in a particular transport network in one way or another. In Ukraine, this became apparent after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. The article reveals the system of factors that influence the process of integration of the transport system in a cross-border region and identifies indicators of transport infrastructure integration. The Russian-Ukrainian war has led to mass migration towards the European Union. Border crossing points became overloaded, which slowed down traffic during the crossing. Further, the number of trucks used to transport imports, such as military and humanitarian aid, increased. Queues to neighbouring countries, including Poland, also formed. The study describes the spatial aspects of the functioning of crossing points on the Ukrainian-Polish border, as well as the road and railway network of Lviv Oblast and Subcarpathian Voivodeship. Border crossing points for road transport are constantly loaded with heavy vehicles. The road and railway networks of the Lviv region are more extensive, which ensures high accessibility not only to close but also to remote points. The article examines motorways from the territory of Lviv Oblast to Poland. These motorways are laid to the Subcarpathian and Lublin voivodeships. The authors identify separate motorways and logistics hubs to speed up and make the connection between Ukraine and Poland more accessible. The first priority in such planning should be the creation of new border crossing points. Within the region, it is advisable to develop meridional roads from the state border towards mountainous areas. The study examines the number of buses among all international connections to Poland. The most regular is the Lviv – Warsaw Airport (Modlin) connection, which is associated with the active movement of migrants to one of the largest aviation hubs in Eastern Europe. It was determined that the westernmost end point of the bus service is Trier in Germany. There are no bus services from Lviv to Romania. The scientific publication presents railway lines of different categories (single-track diesel and double-track electrified) that connect Ukraine and Poland through the territory of Lviv Oblast. It has been established that the European gauge railway is included in the railway stations Mostyska-2, Rava-Ruska, Khyriv. However, most Ukrainian trains run to stations in Poland without changing wheelsets. This is typical for routes running from Lviv to Przemyśl. The achievement of the Ukrainian and Polish railway operators is to create interchange routes, for example, from Lviv to Warsaw. The potential of the Rava-Ruska railway junction needs to be developed by running other trains. The article mentions that Yurii Borsuk has been actively developing new connections, including Kyiv – Rava-Ruska with a transfer to Warsaw. The authors propose the idea of connecting Lviv and the nearest European cities using the European 1435 mm gauge. The article highlights the benefits of building the Mostyska-2 – Lviv railway. One of the important aspects of this connection could be the acceleration of export cargo transportation to the European Union. Keywords: transport system, railway infrastructure, road transport, integration, Ukraine, Poland.

Mind the border! Agents and functions to shape regional challenge-oriented innovation policy

ABSTRACT This paper explores the operationalization of policy directionality in terms of goal consistency as well as the spatial dimensions of problems and solutions. The study focuses on cross-border regions (CBRs), since they are engaged in cooperation to tackle common challenges. This study employs a comparative analysis across two EU CBRs, drawing on a theoretical framework that integrates the trinity of agency scholarships and the literature on the multiplicity of border functions. By combining these perspectives, we aim to illustrate how agents navigate the opportunity spaces generated within CBRs. This paper aims to shed light on the interplay between agents to navigate the conditions that the presence of international border generates in the EU cross-border regions (CBR)s to tackle Societal Challenges (SC)s. Through this integrated framework, we explore how agents perceive, interpret, and respond to the complex dynamics and possibilities that emerge in CBRs, shedding light on the interplay between structure and agency in these unique spatial settings. The findings show how SC can be framed at different scales with ambivalent results in terms of consistency of policy goals. Framed through the trinity agency framework, actors interacted collectively to generate and transfer knowledge in the CBRs.

The Cascadia Innovation Corridor: The role of social entrepreneurship in the making of a North American innovative cross-border region

There remains a dearth of literature dedicated to urban core-to-core cross-border regions, especially ones described as highly innovative. Hence, there is a growing need to advance the concept of a cross-border region, especially through the lens of clusters and smart system innovation policy by considering what might be the role of social entrepreneurship regarding its development. Thus, this article focuses on how an innovative cross-border region may be emerging between the bi-national Cascadia region, and analyzes the role of corporate driven social entrepreneurship in its advancement.

Barriers against data sharing for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at borders

Data sharing is a major driver to disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), which is essential to cross-border regions’ resilience. However, sharing data for DRR at borders remains challenging and a limited spectrum of regions have been significantly progressing on this path. While the literature recommends that cross-border regions and organizations settle data ecosystems, studies also evidence that ecosystems face difficulties in developing sustainable rules for data sharing. A better understanding of the impediments of data sharing in cross-border DRR ecosystems is therefore necessary and remains missing in the literature. This research, based on a qualitative and collaborative design, is a work in progress focusing on the Italian-French border. Based on 24 qualitative interviews and archive analysis, we have identified four major challenges that organizations need to overcome to support data sharing for DRR at borders. First, cross-border DRR actors struggle harmonizing their perspectives over their common environment, whether it is environmental or data-related. Second, they face persistent elements of fragmentation, particularly reinforced at frontiers. Third, these organizations meet the challenge of building a sustainable bond of trust between one another about data. Fourth, they lack data maturity, thus impeding good use of data within the ecosystem. Our findings contribute to a more situated understanding of data sharing at borders and call for more consideration of the border settings from practitioners that participate in data sharing.

Socio-Economic Practices and EVD Transmission in Tanzania: Insights from Cross-Border Regions

Socio-Economic Practices and EVD Transmission in Tanzania: Insights from Cross-Border Regions

A modified co-production framework for improved cross-border collaboration in sustainable forest management and conservation of forest bird populations

The border between Canada and the United States poses jurisdictional challenges when it comes to consistently implementing science-based conservation of forests and their biological communities. Through a partnership with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Boreal Avian Modelling Project, and American Bird Conservancy, we developed a co-production framework to conduct research that will inform forest management practices for bird conservation in the cross-border region of Bird Conservation Region 12. Our framework first responds to the needs of resource managers and other perceived stakeholders, while investing in relationship-building for long term trust as a foundation for future partnerships with Indigenous rights holders and landowners. Our central question was: How can sustainably managed forests create and/or maintain high quality breeding habitat to support forest bird populations that are resilient to climate change? Engaging with experts in Canada and the United States, we found that the main driver for addressing our central question was our limitation in connecting bird population responses to specific forest management practices. We describe how experts are contributing avian count and forest inventory data that researchers will use to produce a requested decision-support tool. We continue to engage with land managers to link forest resource inventory data to specific forest management practices and refine the components of products by including more diverse perspectives.

Museums and Memorials in Russia-China Cross-Border Regions: Prospects of Creating a “Compromise” Version of Shared History

Museums and Memorials in Russia-China Cross-Border Regions: Prospects of Creating a “Compromise” Version of Shared History

Academic researchers’ motivations to engage in university–industry collaboration in cross-border regions

AbstractMore than ever, universities and policymakers are paying attention to faculty members’ engagement in industries’ projects because university–industry collaboration (UIC) is seen as the key to economic development. However, the UIC differs from country to country, and researchers may have different motivations. This study explored the relationship between university researchers’ motivations and varied UIC channels. A questionnaire was administered to the relevant faculty in public universities in two cross-border regions of Portugal and Spain. Drawing on data gathered from 841 researchers, the results reveal differences in these academics’ motivations to engage in different channels. Pecuniary motivations (i.e., access to funding and commercialization) drive UIC through joint and contract research, while non-pecuniary motivations (i.e., learning opportunities and access to resources) inhibit cooperation through the same two engagement channels. In addition, joint and contract research involvement also depends on researchers’ age, academic status, department size, and field of study. This study provides empirical evidence on the motivations and channels of UIC in two cross-border regions of Portugal and Spain. Furthermore, it presents important results for universities and policymakers who need to increase motivation and improve UIC channels.

Studying policy transfer and policy learning in border regions. A proposition for interdisciplinary dialogue and a research agenda

ABSTRACT In recent years, research on cross-border cooperation has proliferated, also receiving increased attention from political science. Nevertheless, important insights from the literatures on policy learning and transfer have not been systematically introduced into this field of study so far. In this article, we address this shortcoming by offering an analytical framework for analysing policy learning and transfer in (cross-)border regions, thereby focusing on processes that may help us better capture the evolution and dynamics of cross-border regions. We conceptually discern between four different types, namely policy learning in cross-border regions, horizontal transfer in cross-border regions, horizontal transfer between cross-border regions and vertical transfer between the European or the national and the (cross-)border level. For each case, we discuss potential drivers and give empirical examples to illustrate the conceptual model.