Research Project: How transnational projects contribute to implementing the Territorial Agenda of the European Union (topic "Mobility and Transport")

Project briefing

• Status Completed
• Project duration June 2011 – February 2012
• Programme MORO

Mobility and transport are important intervention areas for promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion in Europe. The study particularly examines how transnational cooperation projects (INTERREG B) contribute to mobility and transport and how spatial planning and municipal policies can better utilize their findings.
Project duration: June 2011 – February 2012

Background

The European Commission's most recent white paper on transport policy outlined the action required to establish a single European transport area and a competitive and sustainable transport system. The intervention area "Mobility and Transport" also plays a significant role in European spatial development policy. Improving territorial connectivity is one of the six thematic priorities of the revised EU Territorial Agenda (TA2020). Important areas for intervention include creating effective intermodal transport solutions, expanding integrated transport networks and improving the accessibility of rural and peripheral regions.

The transnational cooperation programmes (INTERREG B) aim to help promote integrated spatial development and territorial cohesion in the European Union. The intervention area "Mobility and Transport" is a key factor in economic development and plays an important role in enhancing social and territorial cohesion in Europe. At the same time, in the interests of sustainable spatial development, it is also necessary to take into account the significant environmental impact of transport. The transnational INTERREG programmes are important instruments for implementing the EU's Territorial Agenda. A look at the operational programmes of the various cooperation areas which include Germany (Alpine Space, Central Europe, North Sea Region, North-West Europe, Baltic Sea Region) reveals that they address the topic "Mobility and Transport" in a variety of ways and with differing focal points, depending on the cooperation area.

Objective

The research project focused on a theme-related assessment of transnational cooperation. It aimed at enabling spatial planners and players in the field of spatial development at Federal Government level, in the Länder and at regional and municipal level to benefit from the knowledge gained to date from transnational cooperation projects in the intervention area "Mobility and Transport".

The German Institute for Urban Affairs (DIFU) in Berlin was commissioned to conduct the research project.