Identifying processes of smart planning, governance and management in European border cities. Learning from City-to-City cooperation (C2C)

Abstract

Nowadays, especially in a European environment, it is almost given that border cities cooperate, or should cooperate. Nevertheless, several obstacles are jeopardizing the cities cooperation prosperity. Therefore, the understanding of most of the factors and processes possible involved in the success or failure of Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) strategies and projects are pivotal to seek long-lasting territorial sustainability. Contextually, the study enables to identify three most influential factors and processes that should be considered to achieve territorial sustainability of CBC projects of City-to-City Cooperation (C2C) froma political-strategic perspective, being: Connectivity-movement between cities; political commitment; and the developing of common planning master plans.