Transgression of European Border Regions

On the 23rd of April, we hosted a hybrid discussion (partly online) at Toekomstatelier Oostkop. This discussion explored how European border regions can serve as catalysts for greater collaboration within Europe. We focus on the transgression of borders, not only in a physical sense but also in terms of governance, policy, and spatial thinking. Due to European unification, border regions are acquiring a new role; these areas are increasingly becoming spaces of opportunity, places where innovative ideas and collaborations can emerge.

While policymakers and politicians are often preoccupied with socioeconomic groups, this discussion highlights the importance of the spatial characteristics of border regions. These should not be an afterthought, but a starting principle in shaping policy and planning. Border regions have the power to act as “quick starters ”, ideal places to explore and implement new forms of cooperation. Yet, working across borders remains a challenge. Designers often feel restricted by national boundaries, and for policymakers, these obstacles are even more pronounced. There is often a sense that one cannot draw  or intervene in another country’s territory.

This event invited policymakers, politicians, and designers to reflect on both the challenges and opportunities of working in border regions, and most importantly, to explore how these spaces can help lead the way toward a more connected and unified Europe.

Take-aways

Alankrita Sarkar brought the perspective of the deltametropolis association, expressing the clear objective to articulate shared futures and scenarios for the megaregion through design-led exploration, integrated thinking and institutional dialogue.

Alankrita Sarkar  highlighted key achievements, including the development of thematic trajectories on circular economy, sustainable mobility, and living with water, engaging a diverse range of stakeholders.

Alankrita identified persistent structural challenges, such as the lack of institutional cooperation from national governments of all three countries and the Benelux Union, the absence of dedicated cross-border financing instruments, and a critical gap in coherent spatial datasets. Positively, Alankrita cited collaborations with entities like EGTC Rhine-Alpine Corridor, EGTC Linieland van Waas en Hulst (working with Grenspark Groot Saeftinghe citizens), and Dutch NOVEX Gebieden (such as North Sea Port), which demonstrate how formal governance and EU support can facilitate cross-border spatial coordination. Deltametropool also supports cross-border themes through education and research, including Sarkar’s own PhD on value-based spatial planning in the Flemish-Dutch Delta.

Mart van Damme presented Elke regio telt, (every region counts), which assessed the opportunities and challenges between regions, it demonstrated that border regions were falling behind. In another case, 50 municipalities were rated on liability. Venlo moved from 43rd place to being amongst the top 10 due to legislative changes across borders, showing the untapped potential of border regions. Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations aims to bridge this gap through Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen (Coordination Point for Border Barriers) where specialists come together to remove obstacles.  Mart brought several examples of where progress was being made. The Netherlands is the first country to adopt the cross-border check, meaning each legislation must first be tested within the context of border regions before it is passed. Another example showed the ports of Terneuzen and Gent joining to increase competitiveness. Lastly, the Trinational curriculum in Maastricht is the first fully cross-border university programme, as it allows students studying in Maastricht to have classes in Belgium and Germany.

Plea: Encountering these cross-border obstacles is a good sign; it shows companies and individuals see the value in joining forces. Policy will need to adapt. It is important to consider the everyday barriers for regular people, in business, education, working and healthcare.

Jelmer Huismans brought the perspective of the Province of Zeeland in their coordinated effort with the Ministry of Interior. He explained that the Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen project was brought from research from 2017 that stated that some municipalities have lost up to 20% of GDP because of these border obstacles. Considering that 40% of all of Europe is a border region, this is a big concern. The Province of Zeeland is working directly with municipalities and companies to collect good analytics and practical solutions for the Dutch Flemish region. This research is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Maastricht and Hasselt. From the EU perspective reducing cross border barriers has great potential to increase GDP and create jobs. This agenda will act as a reference for further cross-border cohesion around Europe. The report will cover the competitive potential of Europe from a global perspective and is expected to be published by .. 

Plea: Closing the untapped potential of border regions is vital for the United Nations’ global competitiveness. A coherent strategic agenda for the Flemish region will provide a framework for other European border regions to follow.  

image credit: Mark Eker

Mark Eker applied his knowledge from the Borderland to the province of Noord-Holland, where he noticed the geography of the region was being ignored in spatial planning, as the unique stakeholders, different climate conditions and spatial quality of each waterbody were being overlooked. Mark studied how history has shaped the varied borders of the Netherlands, encouraging the audience to think closer on the cultural quality of the border. While some border regions have strong cultural ties, others are very separated. These qualities should be further embraced by spatial planners.  

Plea: Geography, history and culture matter and should not be ignored in spatial planning.

Conclusion

Border regions need to be seen for their unique potential as testing grounds for innovation and new forms of collaboration rather than just as a periphery. However, they should also be considered with care, rather than as places for exploitation; there is something much more poetic which can be explored, as some border regions are landscapes of commons while others of difference. Finally, border regions rely on a clear economic direction, one that serves the local communities, national strategies and European cooperation.  

More about the speakers

Alankrita Sarkar is a PhD candidate at Delft University of Technology in the Department of Architecture, researching on cross-border relations in the Flemish-Dutch Delta from the lens of landscape and governance. She is also working as a Research Program Coordinator at Deltametropolis Association in the Netherlands where she have been leading international/European projects and programs since 2018. Her role is to bridge the gap between research and practice, positioning the Netherlands in the European planning and emphasising cross-border development focused on strategic collaboration, transitions and climate urgencies. Her interest lies in understanding the spatial design and planning systems in relation with governance, contributing to the advancement of spatial planning and design in delta territories.

Mark Eker is a (regional designer at the Province of Noord-Holland, with a strong focus on cross-border regions in Europe. He is co-author of Borderland, a publication that explores the spatial, political, and cultural dynamics of European border areas. Through his work, Mark advocates for rethinking borders as spaces of connection rather than division. His practice combines design, research, and policy to highlight the untapped potential of these often-overlooked regions.

Jelmer Huismans is an Advisor on Cross-border Cooperation for the Flanders-Netherlands region, focusing on one of Europe’s most interconnected border areas. Working closely with regional and local governments in provinces like Zeeland, North Brabant, and Limburg, as well as their Flemish counterparts, Jelmer helps navigate and overcome institutional and administrative obstacles to cross-border collaboration. Through his involvement in the Schakelpunt Grensbelemmeringen (Coordination Point for Border Barriers), he supports efforts to identify and resolve practical issues that hinder cooperation between the Netherlands and Belgium.

Mart van Damme is a Senior Policy Officer at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, where he shapes national strategies on territorial development, cross-border collaboration, and regional governance. With a strong commitment to strengthening the coherence between administrative layers and fostering collaboration across borders, Mart contributes to policies that support resilient, sustainable, and inclusive regions. His work reflects a deep understanding of the complex interrelations between spatial planning, governance, and the socio-economic landscape of the Netherlands and its neighboring regions.

The Breakfast Club

This event kicked off a new series of events, titled The Breakfast Club. Here we meet each month at 9:30 till 11:00 with a fresh mind. Join us for a coffee, a croissant and endless fresh perspectives.