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- Cross-border cooperation (CBC) in Southern Europe-An iberian case study. The eurocity Elvas-BadajozPublication . Alexandre Castanho, Rui; Loures, Luis; Cabezas, Jose; Fernandez-Pozo, LuisThe experiences of cross-border cooperation (CBC), undertaken not only in Europe but throughout the world, have enabled areas to gain greater importance in recent decades at an international level, showing potential for integrative functions and joint development as exemplified by several CBC projects. The present paper assesses the impact of CBC projects by analyzing a protocol established in 2013 between the cities of Elvas and Badajoz, which induced the creation of the Eurocity Elvas-Badajoz. The paper kicks off with a critical review on territorial factors for success in CBC areas, considering the analysis of several case studies throughout Europe. The lessons learned, taken from the analyzed case studies, and the identified territorial success factors were used as assessment points for the investigation of the target study area, the Eurocity Elvas-Badajoz. The investigation explores public participation perceptions towards the identification of what changes with respect to standards of life with the CBC project, providing the current state of affairs and identifying where to place efforts in order to reach sustainable development for the region. While being a transition area, it presents several opportunities for growth. These opportunities have not yet been object of analysis and debate with respect to lasting, sustainable successful growth. The present research enables the identification of several territorial factors for success in the study area, such as the connectivity/movement between cities and strong political commitment. From the identified critical factors, it was possible to highlight the importance of public transportation as a priority for achieving success in this CBC project.
- Accessibility and connectivity - Movement between cities, as a critical factor to achieve success on cross-border cooperation (CBC) projects. A European analysisPublication . Alexandre Castanho, Rui; Vulevic, Ana; Cabezas Fernandez, Jose; Fernandez-Pozo, Luis; Naranjo Gomez, Jose Manuel; Loures, LuisNowadays, cross-border cooperation (CBC) is an undeniable reality in the space encompassed between European borders. This contributes to economical and social sustainable development, as well as to cohesion for trans boundary areas, which include administrative and territorial units from neighboring countries. A correct conceptual basis for the methodological approach to connectivity lies in the fact that the development of transportation systems, as integrated networks at different scales, is deeply changing their operation and the way they induce urban and regional development patterns. Overloaded transport corridors in the context of changing transportation flows are becoming an important issue for accessibility, impacting CBC indirectly, but harshly. Different modes of transport create different patterns of accessibility, with different influence in CBC accordingly. Throughout the present research, CBC European case studies, where connectivity-movement between cities, has been identified as a key factor for their territorial success, were assessed, described and analyzed. In the period of 2001-2006, improvements and further imbalances have occurred in accessibility development across regions and modes. Some signs indicate that the core-periphery pattern is slowly changing which leads towards an upgrade on the accessibility of places, regions and cities.
- Political commitment and transparency as a critical factor to achieve territorial cohesion and sustainable growth. European cross-border projects and strategiesPublication . Castanho, Rui Alexandre; Vulevic, Ana; Naranjo Gomez, Jose Manuel; Cabezas, Jose; Fernandez-Pozo, Luis; Loures, Luis; Kurowska-Pysz, JoannaPolitical commitment and transparency have been previously identified as critical factors for territorial success, as well as factors which allow the achievement of stronger cohesion and sustainable growth of cross-border cooperation projects and strategies. The present study is aimed at a more thorough analysis of these factors. Throughout the analysis and assessment of the European CBC case studies, where political commitment has been defined as a critical factor, political and economic transparency plays a key role. This analysis, which incorporates public and technical opinions, provides a better comprehension on how these factors influence the European panorama. It includes the key messages for policy-makers when designing and implementing development strategies specifically tailored to the needs of these places.