Planning cultures – mutual learning in border regions

In the context of the EU integration process most European border regions strive for concepts and agreements that amend cross-border planning. Since the mid 1990’s the Greater Region SaarLorLux+ intends to improve its cross-border coordination on spatially relevant issues. The region’s long-term goal is the implementation of a common spatial development perspective. However several challenges need to be overcome: divergent targets, different perceptions on planning issues, discrepancies in planning approaches and miscellaneous planning cultures in the subunits of the Greater Region.
The working group “spatial planning” of the Centre for Border Studies of the University of the Greater Region (a network of the universities of Kaiserslautern, Liège, Lorraine, Luxembourg, Saarland and Trier) wanted to explore the subject scientifically. Members of the working group organized a workshop on “borders and planning cultures” in order to create a space for dialogue between spatial planning experts and researchers. Spatial planning experts from different levels of all five subunits of the Greater Region were invited. A self-designed simulation game was played in order to get some deeper insight on cross-border spatial planning in practice. Furthermore the guests reflected on opportunities and threats in regard to cross-border planning. Due to its artificial (but still reality-related) nature, the simulation game allowed to go through negotiation processes without being constrained by any possible risks and see the implications of the decisions taken during the game. The aim was to stimulate mutual learning processes, to sensitize stakeholders for the concerns of the neighbouring regions and to increase the awareness of planning cultures. The focus lied on different approaches and challenges of spatial planning in a cross-border context.
Our contribution presents the key findings of the workshop in terms of opportunities and hindrances for cross-border spatial planning in the Greater Region SaarLorLux+. Planning cultures in different spatial contexts are identified and discussed. Besides, on a meta-level, we reflect on the method of the simulation game as a tool for mutual learning and understanding in a cross-border context.