International Boundaries in a Global Era: Cross-Border Space, Place and Society in the Twenty-First Century by Lawrence A. Herzog & Keith J. Hayward

Author:Lawrence A. Herzog & Keith J. Hayward [Herzog, Lawrence A. & Hayward, Keith J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781138950542
Google: ixpfrgEACAAJ
Goodreads: 26408464
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2015-10-19T10:14:28+00:00

The Demise of the State Border as an Obstacle: The Construction of a Cross-Border Territorial Organisation

Until the beginning of the 1990s, the core–periphery relationship between Geneva and its French periphery was not institutionally grounded by specific measures for cross-border cooperation or planning for the future development of the cross-border metropolis. The only notable exception was the financial compensation agreement signed in 1973 by the two countries and the subsequent establishment of the Franco-Genevan Joint Consultative Commission.69 Since then, two events have raised awareness among Geneva authorities about the potentially divisive nature of the national border and, thus, the need to reconsider Geneva’s relationship with its French hinterland. First was the development, in the late 1980s, of technology-intensive business parks on the French side that rely on lower labour costs yet benefit from the proximity to the financial centre of Geneva. These new French business ventures were perceived as a threat by the Swiss cantonal authorities. Second, the awareness of Geneva’s frontier setting was also reinforced by the refusal of Swiss citizens to integrate with the European Economic Area in the federal vote of 6 December 1992.70 To counter its position as a quasi-territorial enclave, and to address the possible threat of isolation vis-à-vis the rest of Europe, the government of Geneva realised it must remain competitive against other global cities. Therefore Geneva (which had actually voted yes on the European economic question by more than 80 per cent) realised that it needed to promote its international image and recast its identity as a “gateway to Europe.” In both cases, the border location was recognised as a resource to be mobilised. To this end, Geneva politicians turned to their French local counterparts in order to engage in closer cross-border cooperation. Studies focused on planning for the cross-border region were carried out by the Franco-Genevan Regional Committee set up by the consultative commission created in 1973 and composed of local and regional authorities, as well as representatives of the French state. The concept of “Regio Genevensis” was developed with the objective, for the Geneva border region, to affirm the centrality of the Swiss canton.71 In 1993, a white paper on urban planning was prepared, followed in 1997 by a charter for the development of the cross-border urban agglomeration including 10 development projects. Most of these projects were aimed at enhancing cross-border functional interactions and promoting the international image of the city.

A new milestone was reached in the early 2000s with the creation of the “Franco-Valdo-Genevan agglomeration project” supported by the French as well as the Swiss governments. While the support from France is mainly symbolic, in the form of recognition of the cross-border project goals, the Swiss Confederation is providing financial support.72 Developed between 2004 and 2006, the Franco-Valdo-Genevan agglomeration project brings together local and regional authorities on either side of the border. Joint planning of transportation infrastructure and urban development highlights the agenda of this cross-border cooperation initiative. Financial support from the Swiss Confederation facilitated the building of the CEVA railway

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