Although a political invention, the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine has no political body and has neither a capital nor a centre. The ambition of the Euroregion is to improve the performance of the European Union. National borders should not restrict axes of knowledge and cultural cooperation. Therefore, it is no longer a question of 'why' but 'how' are we going to connect the Euroregion.
Building an international mental and physical network is a process of decades. The idea of unity as an international region has started with Jean Lejeune (historian from Liege), who cited the history of the border as a shared heritage. The candidacy of Cultural Capital was the most recent attempt as part of the overall development in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion and showed the need for mutual exchange. New calendars provide a boost to the economy and cultural cooperation. After a joint history we can start to make plans for a shared future in which all the projects together are part of a large cross-border urban system.
The international agglomeration is a survival strategy for the medium city on the national periphery. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an urban archipelago, a city with multiple centres spread over several countries? A prerequisite for a successful agglomeration is the mobility of residents and entrepreneurs. Arises with an economy based on free-lancers the need for a more mobile and flexible economy, which is eager to use the urban network?
Is it possible to plan the transnational city? Control of space must take place to design the growing networks and cross-border systems. The trans-national region has to function as a daily urban system. Ambitions that go beyond the boundaries are creating a knowledge network by connecting the nodes knowledge but also themes such as circular economy and energy-transition.
In preparation for the congress, we partnered with pre-workshops in Flanders, Wallonia, and Germany to discuss the (im)possibilities of a transnational urban unit. Each pre-workshop was held in a central region and formulated a contextual vision on the issue of cross-border agglomeration from a spatial-economic perspective. The themes for the workshop 19-20 October are the result of these pre-workshops.
Keynote speakers
- Henk van Houtum (Radboud Universiteit)
- Eric-Jan Pleijster (LOLA Landscape Architects)
- Marty van de Klundert (Spacevalue)
Registration
To join the workshop and the Isocarp Congress 19-22 October you can register at www.isocarp2015.org.
If you only want to join the workshop in Maastricht 19-20 October please let us know by sending a message to m.vanbussel@bureau-europa.nl (only a limited amount of places). Fee: 25 Euro.
PROGRAMME DAY I- 19 oktober
9:00 Reception & Welcome alderman Mr Gerdo van Grootheest
location: Cityhall Maastricht
10:00 Workshop "What is the position of polycentric urban regions in the global economy?”
location: Jan van Eyck Academie
How do we organise our economy and our quality of life in a global economy with enormous geopolitical and economical shift between metropolitan regions, countries and continents? The economy is becoming more global and is closely connected to urban regions with mass and size. How can polycentric regions like the Euregion Meuse-Rhine have a meaningful position in this global economy and are the borders barriers for this development?
Introduction by Robert Broesi, Must Urban Design
12:30 Lunch
location: Brasserie Tapijn, Tapijnkazerne
13:30 Keynote Marty van de Klundert (Spacevalue)
location: Turnzaal, Maastricht University
14:14 Workshop “What are the effects of the transition to a knowledge economy on the cities?”
location: Turnzaal, Maastricht University
In the aim to be successful and meaningful many European cities focus on knowledge economy. By creating a knowledge network the Euregion Meuse-Rhine also apply innovation and creativity as the future of the region.
But what are the consequences of this transition from an industrial or service based economy to a knowledge economy for the functioning of the cities in this region? In a knowledge economy the cities have become to motor of society, but what is the impact on daily life and how can the cities meet up with the needs that are required in a knowledge society?
Introduction: Graeme Evans, Maastricht University
16:30 Conclusions & Feedback
location:Brandweerkantine, Capucijnenstraat Maastricht
17:00 Drinks
location: Brandweerkantine, Capucijnenstraat Maastricht
PROGRAMME DAY 2 - 20 oktober
8:30 picking up the bikes at Aon de Stasie
location: Stationsplein, Maastricht
9:00 Keynote Eric-Jan Pleijster (Lola Landscape Architects)
location: 't Lab Gouvernement, Limburglaan 10, Maastricht
9:45 Workshop “How does landscape development contribute to the success of trans boundary urban regions?”
location: 't Lab Gouvernement, Limburglaan 10, Maastricht
Can landscape parks function as the highly needed counterweight for the urban district? In the Euregion the different cities cooperate on the common goal of maintaining and strengthening the countryside through the Tri-Country Park. What is the meaning of such developments for trans boundary urban regions and can it be used as a strategy for spatial development?
Introduction Anja Brull, project leader Tri-Country Park
12:30 Lunch
location: Caracola, President Rooseveltlaan 213, Maastricht
13:30 Keynote Henk van Houtum (Radboud University)
location: Bureau Europa, Boschstraat 9 Maastricht
14:15 Workshop “How to create successful trans boundary infrastructural networks?”
location: Bureau Europa, Boschstraat 9 Maastricht
To become a meaningful urban region one of the most important things is creating a network of good connectivity between the knowledge hubs and urban nodes. In the Euregion Meuse Rhine the connectivity by car is reasonably good in contrast to cross-border public transport. What are the opportunities for a trans boundary infrastructural network and what are the barriers?
Introduction by Jake Wiersma, Maastricht Municipality
16:50 Conclusions & Feedback
location: Bureau Europa, Boschstraat 9 Maastricht
16:30 Drinks
location: Bureau Europa, Boschstraat 9 Maastricht
Moderator
Bart Cosijn
