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The commercial role of the border areas

The case of Frankfurt(Oder) – Słubice

Agnieszka Dudek

Maciej Kaczmarek

Sergi Bañuls Riera

Alba Sala Vila

Sonja Lukkarinen

Mikko Heinonen

Slubice 2014

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Spis treści

1.Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3

2. Theoretical framework and methods ...................................................................................... 4

2.1 Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 5

3. History .................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Short history of the Polish-German border....................................................................... 6

3.2 History of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice .......................................................................... 6

4. Commercial impact of tourism ............................................................................................... 8

4.1 Popular tourist destinations in Frankfurt(Oder) - Slubice .............................................. 11

5. Cooperation between Frankfurt(Oder) and Słubice ............................................................. 17

5.1. Joint Sewage Treatment Plant Gubin-Guben ................................................................ 17

5.2.German-Polish Eurocentrum in Guben .......................................................................... 19

5.3. Manhattan Urban Bazaar ............................................................................................... 20

5.4. Public Transport ............................................................................................................ 21

5.4.1 The bus line number 983 in Slubice and Frankfurt an der Oder. ............................. 21

5.4.2 The route bus line number 983. ............................................................................... 22

6. Interview survey ................................................................................................................... 23

7. Commercial landscape ......................................................................................................... 25

8. Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 26

Rysunek 1 Frankfurt border crossing in 2007 ............................................................................ 7

Rysunek 2 Border crossing in Frankfurt at 2013 ....................................................................... 7

Rysunek 3 The most important products for German customers in the Slubice bazaar ............ 8

Rysunek 4 The old bazaar ........................................................................................................ 10

Rysunek 5 Plan of city ............................................................................................................. 11

Rysunek 6 Map of sewege treatment plant .............................................................................. 17

Rysunek 7 Sewege treatment plant .......................................................................................... 18

Rysunek 8 Maps German - Polish Eurocentrum in Guben ...................................................... 19

Rysunek 9 Bazaar in Łęknica visible from the air. .................................................................. 20

Rysunek 10 Maps Public transport between Slubice - Frankfurt der Oder .............................. 22

Rysunek 11 Graph 1 - what do the German usually buy in polish side? ................................. 23

Rysunek 12 Graph 2 - what do Polish usually buy on german side? ....................................... 23

Rysunek 13 Graph 3 - public transport in Słubice ................................................................... 24

Rysunek 14 Graph 4 - public transport in Frankfurt der Oder ................................................. 25

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1.Introduction

Frankfurt (Oder)-Slubice is a double town located in the German and Polish border by

the river Oder. In the Poland side the town belongs to the Lubuskie province and in the

Germany side it is part of the Brandenburg region. Geographically the study area is stable and

forested river valley lowland area and the predominant element in the landscape is the river.

(Markuszewska, 2014).

After the Second World War the East German – Polish border was guarded strictly and

travelling between these two cities was difficult. Travelling eased in 1972 when the visa was

not required anymore. This situation held up till 1980, when East-Germany closed the border

again due to the unrest political movements in Poland. At the beginning of the 1990s the

country went through many rapid political and economic changes by abandoning the socialist

economic model due to unifying of Eastern and Western Germany. In 1991, the visa

requirement disappeared, the border opened and caused the abrupt growth in amount of the

yearly cross-borders between Germany and Poland (1991 7,2 million, 1993 more than 70

million). (Brym 2009).

The new economic freedom and cross-border circulation accelerated the growing of

cross-border trade. This was particularly seen in street landscape as increasing amount of

market places, targowiskas, and free markets, bazaars. Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice also

benefitted from its location as a central point of transportations to Berlin. This positive

phenomena resulted the Polish borderlands to transform from the areas of frail economical

level to the areas of economic growth. (Brym 2009).

The wide interest towards Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice began to grow in 2003 after

launching the “Strategy Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice” – program. The completing of the

European Garden 2003 made it possible to experience the intercultural atmosphere of the

twin-town at the both sides of the Oder river. (Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice Twin City

Association Center’s website). In 2004 Poland took the huge step towards even more open-

minded and financially cooperating country as its joining to European Union was confirmed.

After several years of negotiations, in 2007 Poland joined the Schengen Agreement and free

travelling between Germany and Poland was finally confirmed. (Brym 2009).

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The goal of this study is to research the border areas from the commercial point of

view and to highlight those impacts of commercial actions that has changed and are still

changing the landscape in Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice. Also this paper aims to reveal those

reasons for why people are still cross-bordering daily and what are the benefits or

disadvantages of that phenomena.

Study questions are following:

What is the commercial role of border areas?

Which are the commercial differences between Germany and Poland at the

borderland areas?

Which are the factors that make people to cross the border?

How does the border impacts to the landscape from the commercial point of view?

2. Theoretical framework and methods

The theoretical framework used in our research is placed in the field of social and

cultural geography. Border studies have developed remarkably from the times, when the term

“border” meant only a hard, state-separating line, to the times of processes, effects and

people-central analysis. (Newman 2003:13). Thus the meaning of the border is varied and

nowadays the social meaning of border is emphasized. Borders are turned into places of

“bringing together” rather than places of separate.

The rate of social integration in Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice is considered rather low.

Language and culture barriers as well as the short tradition of borderland operation cause the

lack of non-commercial contacts (Janczak 2011: 43). Because of this, the relationship

between Germany and Poland has remained mainly commercial, with the exception of

academic circles (Janczak 2007: 84).

This study is carried out by using narrative analysis by analyzing the texts and

transcriptional methods for interviews. The term “narrative“ means the storyline. The target of

the narrative analysis could as well as the text, be also media material, picture, movie, music

or environment, for example, which are considered as a storylines or progressive structure.

(University of Jyvaskyla website). The central point in our narrative analysis was that the

material collected from study area reveals its dimensions due to very specific and restricted

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observation into it. The conclusions are combined from the properties of study area, culture,

history, commercials, politicians and character of the borderland.

In this research, we used the different material, such as texts and interviews from

Frankfurt(Oder) and Slubice, as a study material. Also we captured the landscape change by

taking several pictures from the town. The base idea is that the changes in the landscape

reflect the changes in the socio-economic society. The free mobility have affected the

structure of the region and those effects are in the middle of our study as we are exploring the

differences between old and new by using the narrative analysis.

2.1 Definitions

Double town

Double town is an administrative city region constituted from two contiguous cities. Double

towns share a common government and public sector. Double towns are often formed because

of a need for the dense cooperation between cities and because of an attempts to improve the

friendship, economy and cultural understanding.

Twin town

Twin towns or sister towns are regions similar to double towns, but they have an independent

government. The term “twin town” is generally considered as an expression of strong

cooperation and a shared business trade.

Borderland

The borderland is the region or area in a relative close proximity to the border within which

the dynamics of change and daily life practices are affected by the very presence of the

border.

Landscape

Landscape is such an wide environment observed by using different senses. The term

landscape was defined by an German geographer Alexander von Humboldt in 1800-century,

and it is often used for describing the different dimensions of the environment or specific

region \ place.

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3. History

3.1 Short history of the Polish-German border

The history of Polish-German border is complicated becouse of negative relations after

Second World War. German border was established after World War II, when the country is

united on Oct. 3, 1990. Boundary was formed as a result of decisions taken at the conference

Allied in Yalta and Potsdam. The case of the Polish-German border shows how the reluctance

can be transformed into friendship. The designated boundary caused mass expulsion and

deportation of the population by dividing cities. German community had to go across the river

from Polish territory which caused conflicts between people. In this way, new cities on both

sides of the border, for example Goerlitz-Zgorzelec, Guben-Gubin, Frankfurt der Oder-

Slubice, Bad Muskau-Leknica and many others. The inhabitans of such towns experienced the

immediate post-war years in a environment of mutual hatred and fear. Mutual separation and

aversion began to disappear until 1971, when they opened the borders of the Polish-German.

After opening the borders the population come back again to their homes. The nature of this

border was also changed in May 2004; the admission of Poland tot he UE not only

established open borders, but strengthened the nature and level of cross-border cooperation.

(Katarzyna Stokłowska, 2012, 245-246) On the EU side was made pressure on relations

between the countries in the border areas, despite the reluctance of residents divided cities.

EU was created first Euroregions on border, thanks to which the cooperation between the

city is getting better and opinions of the inhabitants change for the better.

Relations between the Polish German border in 2013 are good, residents are divided on the

cooperation with the German side. Most are satisfied with the effects of common projects but

there are also some negative opinions.

3.2 History of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice

Słubice serve as a border town between the Polish and Germans. Because the city is situated

on the border, is dominated by tourism services. Number of registered enterprises in 2001. -

was 2878. The town has two bazar. Słubice exist as an independent city for 56 years. Until

1945 Slubice was right district of Frankfurt called Dammvorstadt. After World War II Slubice

received the official name and were included in the Polish borders. After 1945, it was created

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a polish administration and Słubice chosen for seat of powiat rzepiński and few years later has

been changed to powiat Słubicki. After the political changes in 1990. Słubice began to

develop great. The city gained new beautiful visage. After 1 January 1999. when it changed

the administrative and economic map of the country, Slubice was located within the powiat

Słubice. Economic freedom, self-government and democracy are the factors that more

dynamic development of the city. The city has many institutions related to border checks,

international traffic and freight forwarding. The cooperation with Frankfurt is very well, the

result of which is to create a center cross, the common program of social and economic

development. After the reunification of Germany, in April 1991, there was economic recovery

caused by the increasing influx of tourists from Germany. (Over the bridge in Słubice travels

each year about 11mln. persons and 3 million cars).

Rysunek 1 Frankfurt border crossing in 2007

http://lubuskie.regiopedia.pl

Rysunek 2 Border crossing in Frankfurt at 2013

http://gorzow.gazeta.pl

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4. Commercial impact of tourism

In this work, tourism can be considered one of the great engines of the commercial area where the

border has allowed a large influx of population, especially from the German side of the border to the

Polish to acquire certain products like tobacco, alcohol, meat and agricultural products among others.

By the Poles are the main attractions pharmacy and personal care items, clothes, food, shoes and

electronic devices.

Rysunek 3 The most important products for German customers in the Slubice bazaar

We attribute this to the fact basically to the economic difference between the two countries,

which acts as an advertisement for the close situation of the local area. In the economic

aspect of the area, also has played a very important role that the attraction generates Berlin as

its location is approximately to 90 kilometers away. At the same time makes the population

prefers to work in areas closer to the metropolitan area of the city. On this way we can explain

the high unemployment rate of 40% in Frankfurt(O.) and 16,5% in Slubice. The lack of

enterprises in the area as both German Polish causes that looking for investments. While

trying take advantage of the power of Berlin to attract tourism, offered so that they can see the

border to know the history for example.

The city of Frankfurt Oder had a population of 90,000 inhabitants in the 80s and in 2010 was

just over 60,000 inhabitants. According to the 2011 statistics Slubice had a population of

18,000 inhabitants approximately. The current demographic situation has conditioned by the

economic situation of the zone.

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Therefore, the behavior and characteristics of consumers led to create a purchasing system

specific in the borderline area. We found two types of establishments, one inspired in the

local people (more stable) and where German citizens are frequent. On the other hand we find

the German market opened slightly to the Polish population. This change is due to the change

of money (Euro - Zloty), the prices and quality of products in the country. The socioeconomic

status of citizens is also very important for the two cities. Since the border is permeable, there

has been an increase in the functions of the services, especially in trade.

The Germans prefer to cross the border daily, by purchasing everyday products because the

price is lower in the other side. But, the fact to receive a large influx of public of the other

side of the river Oder, in both cases, are due as a result of changes in the 1990s in the EU, the

Poland's accession to the EU (1 May 2004), and the participation in the Schengen area (21

December 2007), which eliminated the passport control at the border. The dissolution of the

border led to an increase in prices, increased German investment in Poland and job

opportunities in Germany.

In general terms, we find that motivated by the Polish German best price, quality and wide

variety. Poles and Germans share the same motivation to cross the border where the main

factor is the low price of the products, but must take into account the strong inequality of

income.

The bazaar, a key piece in the trade area

At this point it should be noted the importance of these facilities in the border trade due to its

proximity and good accessibility for the people of both sides of the border, especially for

German people, where they can park easily creating an ideal space for the costumers.

The bazaar was opened in 1991 inspired by the frequent visits of people from different parts

of Germany, with several points of sale, service and restoration. These first installations

suffered a memorable fire in January 2007, which completely devastated the facilities. After

that, thanks to the city council and the people of the city in less than 3 months was

constructed new temporary bazaar. Finally, on October 15, 2011 was opened a new bazaar

built in the same place as the old, open every day of the week.

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Rysunek 4 The old bazaar

source: www.bazarslubice.pl

Furthermore, we can appreciate and corroborate thanks to the oral witnesses that the current

crisis sales have declined to the point that the economy generated by commercial tourism has

stalled and is not as prosperous as in previous years. We can illustrate this fact with the

emergence of locals who change of ownership or with a significant reduction in the sales.

With all this, with this present context we can see how the old people, who were the first to

cross the border years before, are among the main customers that keep the activity making it

clear too the high presence of cars with German plates in the parking of the Bazaar. Another

fact to consider is the presence of German merchants or Polish speaking German, that denotes

the marked presence of people from the other side of the Oder river.

To finish, we would like to visit the Bazaar during the weekend, because it is the time of the

week where there are more activity and this allow us to know better the activity and the real

situation but we believe that the visit made during the week and the collaboration of the oral

testimonies are enough to see first-hand the relations that take place and the functioning of

Bazaar.

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4.1 Popular tourist destinations in Frankfurt(Oder) - Slubice

FRANKFURT (ODER)

1. KLEIST MUSEUM

The Kleist Museum is devoted to the life and work of

author Heinrich von Kleist (1777–1811), who was born in

Frankfurt (Oder). It was opened in the building of the

former garrison school in 1969 and is viewed as “one of

the most attractive literature museums in Europe” (Die

Zeit, 2000). The Kleist Museum is listed in the Federal

Government’s “Blue Book” as a cultural memorial site of

national significance. With a library and collections

containing more than 34,000 registered objects, the museum currently boasts the most comprehensive

documentation relating to Heinrich von Kleist, his life, and his place in literary history.

Rysunek 5 Plan of city

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2/3. ST. MARIENKIRCHE AND ST. GERTRAUDENKIRCHE

The Church of St. Mary, is the former main parish church

of the city. The church was built from 1253 and it’s one of

the most outstanding buildings of North German brick

gothic. In April 1945, the church was severely damaged

due to the war. A backup of the ruins was made in the 50

years since 1979, the sacred building is being renovated.

The greatest treasure, the three twelve-meter fascinating

stained glass windows with their colorful medieval stained

glass. The cycle of paintings tells the story of creation, the Christ and the Antichrist legend in 117

images.

4. MUSEUM VIADRINA

Viadrina Museum is the largest museum in the eastern

state of Brandenburg devoted to the history and culture.

Has its headquarters in the building Junkerhaus (House

Junkers ), which restored the impressive baroque ceilings.

Since December 2001 it belongs to the "Urban (s)

Museums and Art Young Viadrina". After over 15 years

of construction, the Museum Viadrina, from 4 October

2003, fully open with a new permanent exhibition.

5. MUSEUM JUNGE KUNST

The Museum Junge Kunst has one of the most important collections of

art from the eastern part of Germany. His exhibition program is one of

the most ambitious facilities for contemporary art. These exciting

architectures, old designs and contemporary art, provides a challenging

and refreshing dialogue.

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6/7. THE CONCERT HALL OF CARL PHILIPP EMANUEL BACH AND THE THEATER KLEIST

FORUM

The concert hall of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and the

Theater Kleist Forum, are the largest cultural centers in the

region of Brandenburg. In July attracts the biggest city

festival of Frankfurt and Slubice, "Bunter Hering," with

thousands of visitors to the Oder.

8. ONKEL HELMUT

The raft "Oncle Helmut" invites visitors to explore the

shores of Frankfurt and Slubice, and enjoy the local

culinary specialties. Along the trip you can enjoy the

forests, the flooded areas and the fascinating views of the

gardens, where nature still has its own rules.

SLUBICE

9. MONUMENT LEOPOLD VON BRUNSWICK

To the north of the bridge over the Oder River was originally a monument to Leopold of Brunswick,

nephew of the King of Prussia Frederick II the Great. It was built to commemorate the esteemed

general. Monument was destroyed. Near this place we can see today a monumental wooden chair,

corresponding with its counterpart on the side of Frankfurt. This design is the result of an artistic

project " Talking trees " ( Baumzeichen ) , implemented in 1995 by Eberhard G. Krüger.

10. COLLEGIUM POLONICUM

The Collegium Polonicum in Slubice is a joint

international teaching and research institution of the

European University Viadrina and the Adam Mickiewicz

University, which opened in 1998.

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11. SMOK

The Municipal Cultural Centre SMOK organize, among others,

contemporary art exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events.

Every year organizes, in cooperation with the City of Frankfurt,

the city festival “Hanseatic Color Herring " and the international

song festival “transVOCALE".

12. SHOOTING HOUSE

Is a house located on the edge of the park Panorama. It

was built in 1861. Until 1945 the building was managed by

the Shooting Club. During Second World War the palace

was used as a hospital. In 1988 the building was

demolished. Today it has been restored and has become a

building for dances and banquets.

13. CENTRE STADIUM SPORT AND RECREATION

The sport and recreation center, with its large

stadium that was opened in 1926, is home to

football and tennis courts, a shooting range

and an open-air swimming pool. A hotel with

140 beds is also located in the OsiR complex.

14. BAZAR

Border location Slubice (Frankfurt Oder), the European

trade route and activity of the inhabitants inspired by

frequent visits of guests from different parts of Germany,

contributed to the opening in 1991 of the border bazaar.

On the surface of 16000m2 gathered 1.200 positions,

which were carried out commercial, service and catering .

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15. OLD JEWISH CEMETERY

The Jewish cemetery in the Slubice of today (Frankfurt

(Oder) – Dammvorstadt in German) is one of the oldest

Jewish cemeteries in Central Europe. It has been 615 years

since the first mention about it in 1399, although the

experts on this subject think that another 100 years should

be added to its age.

The Way of St. James:

The Way of St. James is the most famous

European pilgrim route is considered in

many countries to be a symbol connecting

religions, cultures and different ways of life.

Over 1000 years old route brings pilgrims to

Santiago de Compostela in the north west of

Spain, where the remains of the apostle St.

James are buried. Since 1990ties the

phenomenon of pilgrimages has been

undergoing a revival and thousands of

pilgrims with different motives travel along

the mediaeval network of pilgrimage routes.

The Eastern Brandenburg Land is of special importance on the map of the European cultural routes

because in the Middle Ages the pilgrims travelled along this Way to the burial place of St. James. Riga

in Latvia was the well-known easternmost beginning of the pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela.

Next, the pilgrims went across Poland, Germany and France to Spain. Frankfurt upon Oder is still the

most important Oder crossing location for the pilgrims from the Eastern and Central Europe heading

toward the south east.

The medieval pilgrims on their long way to Santiago de Compostela used the trading and military

routes across the Lebus Region and Brandenburg Land. The available sources say that the medieval

pilgrims used the busy well-developed roads. While planning their journeys in the Middle Ages, the

pilgrims used to take into account the transregional transportation connections and trading centers.

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The area of Frankfurt upon Oder with its well-developed network of trading and post routes as well as

with its market and fair towns secured for the pilgrims a safe journey in all directions. Frankfurt upon

Oder, connecting medieval Hanseatic trading routes , was also an important town for the pilgrims

travelling to the east or to the west of the Oder river.

The European University has carried out the research on the exact historical locations of the Way of

St. James on both sides of the Oder. In this way, it managed to fill in the blanks and connect the routes

from the east to the west and to the south with the existing still used parts of the Way of St. James on

the areas of Poland, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.

The researchers managed to locate over 240 km of marked walkways trough many towns in the

Eastern Brandenburg Land. The routes from the East start in Frankfurt upon Oder and they run

through the Markisch-Oderland and Oder-Spree countries and they finish in the Barnim country. The

pilgrims starting their journey in Frankfurt upon Oder have two options of crossing the Brandenburg

Land along the Ways of St. James. The southern bound runs from the old Hanseatic town of

Furstenwalde on the Spree river to Erkner or Alt-Kopenick. The northern bound crosses Muncheberg

and Strausberg and ends in the area of the Barnim country. This part runs along the old post route form

Berlin via Muncheberg to Silesia. The pilgrims travelled along the oldest trading and military route of

the region from the town of Kopenick via Lebus to Poznan. The Emperor Otto III travelled along this

route in the year 1000 returning from Gniezno to Madeburg.

The Oder-Neiße Cycling Route:

The Oder-Neiße Cycling Route

follows along the two rivers and

through three countries the Czech

Republic, Poland and Germany.

The cycling route stretches almost

the entire length of the German-

Polish border. It ventures 630

kilometres from the spring of the

Neiße River in Nová Ves in the Czech Republic to the tourist city

of Ahlbeck on the island of Usedom. It follows from the Jizera

Mountains along the borderline all the way up North to the Baltic

Sea.

Where Europe was once divided, the borderlines nowadays are

blurred. The wet meadows along the Oder River are a paradise for

storks and breeding places for ground-nesting birds. Large parts are protected areas, a precious habitat

for a fauna and flora, which seldom can be found somewhere else.

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Attractions along the way are characterized by the culture and way of life. The cycling route offers a

unique variety of cultural highlights.

Sightseeing hotspots along the cycling path include the stunning landscape gardens of the Fürst

Pückler’s Park in Bad Muskau, which belongs to the UNESCO world heritage site. The park is also a

symbol of cross-border integration, since two-thirds are in Poland and one-third is in Germany.

5. Cooperation between Frankfurt(Oder) and Słubice

5.1. Joint Sewage Treatment Plant Gubin-Guben A major project is scheduled for completion in Gubin on 2 May 1998, a joint wastewater

treatment plant. Its mission is to support the two cities. It uses the different types of processes,

which meant that it is one of the most modern of its kind in Poland. This investment was

made as part of a pilot program in the field of environmental protection. Its goal is the

construction of the city sewer Gubin. Was financed entirely with funds provided by the

German Federal Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Land

of Brandenburg and the EU support funds - PHARE CBC.

Rysunek 6 Map of sewege treatment plant

Source: www.pos.zgora.pl

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The project was designed to solve the problem of waste water and sewage management for

German Guben and Polish Gubin. These cities lie at the border area, so it was concluded that

it is worthwhile to forge a partnership that could pass as a symbol of crossing the borders of

activities for nature conservation.

Next destination is related to water protection and improvement of water quality in the

receiver of treated wastewater from sewage treatment (in this case the river - Nyssa). The

construction of this type of treatment is also an amazing signal that sent to the area affects its

economic development. This project is interested in entrepreneurs who have plans to start

their own business in the province of Lubusz. The next task was also to develop a model of

the partnership and its promotion in the European Union as an example of the organization of

municipal companies.

Source: www.pos.zgora.pl

Sewage Treatment Plant in Gubin has contributed to a significant improvement of the

environment across borders. It is unobtrusive to the environment. The nearest residential

buildings are already located less than 100 meters from the plant. By placing noisy and

cumbersome machines in the basement and channels, they are not audible to the outside. Land

treatment is the investment raised to a height of protection against flood water treatment plant

and built reservoir and inlet ducts to the treatment side Gubin protect its work before the

torrential rains. Production of own electricity from biogas contributes to reducing the

emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. Led rational sedimentary based on farm

management deposits on the class of weak soils maintained constant monitoring piezometers

Rysunek 7 Sewege treatment plant

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located on developed fields, you can control the energizing nutrients crops. Modernity

technique used for treatment, the production of its own electricity covering 40% of heat

demand and covering 100% of the demand, and at the same unusual for this type architecture

means that treatment is the subject of exploring the numerous tours of Europe and is put as an

example of exemplary cooperation partnership and working impeccably technology to meet

the stringent requirements of European environmental legislation and Polish.

5.2.German-Polish Eurocentrum in Guben

Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported in Guben. This process is becoming more

and more visible from 20 November 1998 when it created the German-Polish institution

whose aim is to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Head it is precisely in Guben.

It’s task is to making cross-border cooperation. Eurocentum also offers all interested

economic operators and large range of services:

- business consulting (commercial law, economic),

- organization of cooperative exchanges,

- moderating seminars and workshops of a business,

- access to a rich database of traders.

Rysunek 8 Maps German - Polish Eurocentrum in Guben

Source: Google Earth

Germany Poland

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5.3. Manhattan Urban Bazaar

"Urban Bazaar Manhattan" is a unique market. On its site you can find products from more

than 1,000 traders. It should also be noted that this is one of the largest bazaars in Europe. It

stands out from other competitive prices, huge selection, healthy organic products. In fact, on

its site you can buy almost anything. Its location is associated with the border crossing. It is

located near Mużakowski Park and is considered a large shopping center - services.

The site of this city, you can find items from different industries. The most common on the

bazaar assortment are: Food, wickerwork, ceramics, clothing, haberdashery, confectionery,

footwear, jewelery, textiles, souvenirs, tobacco products, electronic equipment, automotive

accessories. Numerous bars and eateries offer insight Polish cuisine, regional dishes.

Source: Google Earth

Rysunek 9 Bazaar in Łęknica visible from the air.

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5.4. Public Transport

5.4.1 The bus line number 983 in Slubice and Frankfurt an der Oder.

The bus line number 983 in Slubice and Frankfurt an der Oder - the first in the history of

Polish-German border city public transportation bus line linking Slubice Polish with German

Frankfurt an der Oder, buses going from 9 December 2012. Its operation is based on an

agreement between the Municipality Słubice and Municipal Communication Company

Frankfurt (SVF). It runs from the Frankfurt train station to Słubice Heroes' Square. In 9-13

hours, the first station on the German side of the square in front of the European University

Viadrina. Ticket price is paid in euros and is 1.40 €. The frequency rates of one per hour.

The line is the result of many years of efforts of both parties regarding the organization of

cross-border public transport. Initially, the goal was to build a tram line, the idea was blocked,

however, by the lack of explicit approval of the residents of Frankfurt, who in a referendum

called for the resignation of the common transport from Słubice in the form of a tram. Current

line 983 is co-financed SVF Słubice municipal budget, as well as the obligatory ticket

semester students of the University Viadrina.

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5.4.2 The route bus line number 983.

Route journey has approximately 8 km and passing it takes about 20 minutes to buses . In a

variant of the ordinary ( ie outside the hours of 9-13, where the route ends at the University)

bus stops at 8 stops . On the way back the number is five , since all the stops in Słubice are

one-way and are not supported on the way back . This means that when you exit the loop

Heroes' Square the only station on the Polish side is the square of Frankfurt . All German

stops allow migrating to other city served by Frankfurt's public transport company , both tram

( 1, 2, 3, 4) and bus ( 980, 981, 985) . Some stops Polish (eg Intermarché ) additionally used

by intercity bus communication ( Transhand Slubice, bus Zielona Góra) . Polish Stops wear

both the German mark (yellow letter H placed in a green circle with a yellow border ) and

Polish ( sign D-15 , indicating a bus stop).

Source: www.berlin.bahninfo.de

Rysunek 10 Maps Public transport between Slubice - Frankfurt der Oder

23

6. Interview survey

Surveys were conducted on a group of 15 people. Respondents currently live in Slubice and

Frankfurt. According to their opinion Germany usually immigrated to Polish to buy oil,

clothes, cigarettes, food, chemical products and cosmetics. In contrast, the Poles are entering

the territory of Germany to buy there chemical products, food, wine, electronics, clothes and

sweets.

What do the German usually buy in polish side?

Rysunek 11 Graph 1 - what do the German usually buy in polish side?

The German people are coming to Polish to buy different kinds of products. For the most

frequently purchased can include food, gasoline, clothes. They bought this because of the fact

that such products on the Polish side are much cheaper than the German side. Many residents

also draws attention to the quality of the products, which in Poland is higher than in Germany.

What do Polish usually buy on german side?

Rysunek 12 Graph 2 - what do Polish usually buy on german side?

13%

20%

13% 34%

13%

7%

oil

clothes

cigarettes

food

chemical product

cosmetic

33%

27%

7%

7%

13%

13% chemical product

food

vine

eletronic equipment

clothes

candy

24

On the German side, the Polish community usually buy chemical products, foodstuff items

and sweets. This is because of the better standards of German products and lower prices.

Sweets are buying mostly young people in 16 - 20 age. Chemical products are buying by

older people aged 40 – 80.

Rysunek 13 Graph 3 - public transport in Słubice

Most people are satisfied with public transport between Słubice and Frankfurt. The problems

are related to the fact that you can only buy tickets for Euro Currency, only one type ticket, no

monthly ticket and you can’t to buy discounts on ticket for children.

This type of transport is a good option for students studying in the neighboring country. They

can freely accessible to classes by what they save valuable time that can devote to study. Not

only do students enjoy this line of buses but also older people. Moving the bridge for them is

a challenge that is why access to the shopping bus is the ideal solution for them.

67%

33%

Public transport in Słubice

use

do not use

25

Rysunek 14 Graph 4 - public transport in Frankfurt der Oder

On the German side people see the advantages of a bus line because they can get to the

bazaar, the town center and railway station. However, most do not use this type of

communication because they prefer to move cars.

7. Commercial landscape

The landscape is ever-changing. In Frankfurt(Oder) - Slubice twin town area the commercial

impacts could be seen in many different layers.

Historical landscape

Old factory buildings located in the Oder river have changed to historical monuments in the

landscape and nowadays they remind people of days gone by. (Brym 2009). The structure of

the city and the base of the buildings are remarkably older in the Frankfurt side than in the

Slubice side. On the Polish side of the border, agriculture has become less important and

services comprise the largest sector of the economy (Brym 2009). That has led to prominent

change in the landscape. When the border opened finally in 1990s, plenty of German people

moved to the Slubice and that caused the increase in the constructional development.

Nowadays the buildings are higher and newer, too.

Co-operational landscape

Before the border opening, there didn’t exist any common public transportations between

Frankfurt (O.) and Slubice. When the plans for the bus route between cities actualized, the

20%

80%

Public transport in Frankfurt der Oder

use

do not use

26

landscape change from the traffic point of view has gone through a massive reorganization.

Also the harbor region has developed very quickly, partly due to the growing demand for the

tourist cruises. Also the excited trade and exportation of goods has had its own impact on the

traffic. The founding and maintaining of the national parks is the factor that has caused the

improvements in the environmental side. That could be seen as a change not only in physical

landscape but also in the mental landscape of the people. Also the cooperation and different

kinds of contracts demand the constant level in the environmental health. The cooperation

also reflects in the city landscape because of the renovation of old buildings. These actions are

consequences from the common project of Frankfurt(Oder) and Slubice in order to create the

comfortable city environment for the inhabitants.

Tourism landscape

The most significant change in the city landscape is the increased amount of stores. People

come to the German side for the low priced goods as well as food. According to the Brym’s

(2009) words, part of the Polish could be irritated because of the street scene has been

designed to please the Germans. New retail stores are designed for German customers, and

not the Polish maybe could not afford the same services. In addition, commercial spaces are

fulfilled the stores selling exactly the same goods. The most common services purchased by

the German are the barbershop services, tobacco and alcohol products. So the tourism might

also have an impact on mental landscape and the sense of the place. Likewise have the

advertisement side its own effects on the comfortableness of the city. As mentioned before,

the tobacco and alcohol are the most popular sale articles, and those are playing the large role

in the street landscape. Last thing to mention is the growing of the bazar regions. In addition

to that they could reveal the ultimate nature of today’s commercial base, they are also in a

way the melting points of cultural landscape.

8. Conclusions

If we compare the next pictures of Slubice and Frankfurt, in addition to analyzing the quizzes and the

experience acquired over these days, we see large differences between stores, bars, restaurants and

other shops of Slubice and Frankfurt. In Slubice we can find many stores related with snuff, alcohol,

and exchange money. As for the clothing stores and restaurants, these are small and more familiar and

closer to the population. Also, we can find a lot of hairdressers with lowest prices.

27

In Frankfurt in contrast to Slubice not find all these small shops related to snuff or alcohol. In

Frnakfurt we can find shops and restaurants belonging to powerful chains stores like H & M or

McDonalds. We also found a large shopping center in the main street. Due to the price difference,

since in Slubice are much lower than in Frankfurt, Germans often cross the border to buy different

products (for example alcohol) at a lower price.

Relations between the Polish German border in 2013 are good, residents are divided on the

cooperation with the German side. Most are satisfied with the effects of common projects but

there are also some negative opinions. German and Polish history is very complicated by a

past which existed between the two countries. The population of the two countries

demonstrate a reluctance and fear to each other. At the time when Poland joined the European

Union Polish-German relations have improved significantly.

Polish retail market is supplemented by trading goods from Germany while the German

market, in turn, is supplied by the Polish products.

On the Polish-German border, there are many twin cities (Gubin-Guben, Slubice-der Oder

Frankfurt, Leknica Bad Muskau, Zgorzelec-Goerlitz), which combine mutual relations. The

cooperation covers many projects in various sectors of the economy, in the area of the border.

One of the many projects the latest tech wastewater treatment plant located in Gubin-Guben.

In the early assumption more sewage was imported from the German side. However, with the

passage of time the number of completions of wastewater by the two countries is equalized.

28

SLUBICE: FRANKFURT (ODER):

29

References:

Brym, Michelle Janet (2009). The Integration of European Union Borderlands: Polish

Views on Cross-Border Mobility and Cooperation Across the Polish-German Border.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice twin city association center website, read 14.5.2014,

http://www.citytwins.org/en/page/18/

Gubin-Guben city official website, www.gubin.pl read 13.5.2014

Janczak, Jaroslav (2011). De-bordering, re-bordering and symbols on the European

boundaries. Collegium Polonicum (Slubice)

Janczak, Jaroslav (2007). Rediscovering Europe: Political challenges in the 21st

century EU. Institute of political sciences and journalism, Adam Mickiewicz

University, Poznan.

Leknica city official website, www.leknica.pl read 13.5.2014

Newman, David (2003). On borders and power: A theoretical framework. Routledge

Informa Ltd.

Polish government official website, www.stat.gov.pl read 13.5.2014

Slubice city official website, www.slubice.pl read 13.5.2014

www.polskazachodnia2020.pl, read 13.5.2014

Sewege treatment plant of Gubin-Guben, official website, www.pos.zgora.pl read

13.5.2014

www.ekoprojekty.pl read 13.5.2014

University of Jyvaskyla official website

https://koppa.jyu.fi/avoimet/hum/menetelmapolkuja/menetelmapolku/aineiston-

analyysimenetelmat/narratiivinen-analyysi read 14.5.2014