The feasibility of implementing cross-border land-use management strategies: a report from three Upper Silesian Euroregions

Abstract

© iForest -Biogeosciences and Forestry IntroductionThe Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) defines "Euroregion" as an organisational unit that allows and stimulates the cooperation of local governments and other public and private bodies on both sides of the border (AEBR 2000). As Perkmann & Spicer (2007) noted, Euroregions are "organising templates for coordinating policies among contiguous local or regional authorities across national borders" (p. 12). Euroregions are dynamic constructs in which different processes are taking place, such as setting development goals, searching for new financing possibilities and expanding membership structures (Perkmann 2003).In the context of this study, the land-use management strategy should be understood as a joint document regarding the CzechPolish borderland in the Euroregion area. It was assumed that the structure of such a document should start with an evaluation (diagnosis) of the Euroregion's potential (location, land cover, infrastructure, demography, education, economy, analysis of existing strategic documents), followed by an analytical/strategic discussion (development scenarios, development and strategic goals, development priorities and implementation tools). Cross-border land-use management strategies are important, in that they should help to coordinate the development of the cross-border region (CBR), make transnational cooperation much smoother, and thus have a positive impact on cross-border ecosystems. On the other hand, land-use goals, interests concerning the CBRs (and Euroregions) and legislatures of the Czech Republic and Poland differ in many ways (Ministerstwo Budownictwa Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej 2006). Moreover, the administrative divisions are different on each side of the border. The cross-border land-use management strategy should strengthen the cross-border cooperation and coordinate the development of a particular CBR (Euroregion). The strategy should be one of the most important documents used in the implementation of the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2014-2020, by facilitating the efficient use of the investment. However, little research has been carried out on the need for land-use management strategies and methods concerning such crossborder strategies in central Europe in general, and the Czech Republic/Poland in particular.The method in this study is based on interviews conducted at the top level of management of the three studied Czech-Polish Euroregions: Pradziad, Silesia and Cieszyn Silesia. The objective of this study is to analyse the possibilities for implementing new Czech-Polish land-use management strategies in the analysed Euroregions. Additionally, this study is intended to deliver an overview of the method for developing landuse management strategies, which could be useful for each of those Euroregions.The purposes of the study include: • Increasing knowledge about the need for and content of cross-border land-use management strategies in relation to the three Upper Silesian Euroregio...

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