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Regional Integration and Metropolitan Regional Integration and Metropolitan Development of SE EuropeDevelopment of SE Europe
4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
November 21, 2004
RIMEDRIMED
INTERREG III B CADSES
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SEED, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Greece
RIMED
January 2003 – June 2005
INTERREG III B CADSES
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Goal of the Project
Propose an action plan for the metropolitan centers of SEE
Identify a strategy of sustainable urban growth based on trans-national networks of cooperation
Maximize spread effects to national hinderlands and
Promote polycentric development and regional integration in SEE
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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Strategy Focus
SofiaTiranaSkopjeThessaloniki
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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Project Partners University of Thessaly (LEAD PARTNER)
Democritus University of Thrace
Organization of Thessaloniki for Master Plan and Environmental Protection of Thessaloniki
University ‘St. Cyril and Methodius,’ Faculty of Economics, Skopje, FYROM
University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria
City of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
Institute of Economics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
City of Skopje, Skopje, FYROM
Institute of Economics, Skopje, FYROM
University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Prefecture of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Institute of Labor, Tirana, Albania
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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Activities that Promote the Goals A study analyzing the forces of spatial change in SE
Europe
A study analyzing complementarity and conflict in the goals of
A) Regional integration and
B) polycentric metropolitan development in SE Europe
A comparative SWOT analysis of the metropolitan regions of Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Thessaloniki analyzing forces of change and forces of interaction
Workshops in Sofia, Tirana, and Skopje
A Synergic Action Plan for Polycentric Development in SE Europe, setting forward a new strategy of regional integration
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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Activities that Promote the Goals (Cont’d)
International Conference and Annual Forum of SEE Cities in Thessaloniki
Establishment of a coordination unit and a Web site service
Pilot Action for the measurement of the spread effects of action plan to smaller cities: the case of Blagoevgrad
Pre-feasibility study for key investments required in each city in order to facilitate its new role
Staff exchange and a joint training seminar to city officials with special emphasis to synergic approaches network and cooperation in planning and development
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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Work Packages of the Project
WP1. The forces of spatial change in S.E. Europe
WP2. Regional Integration and Polycentric Metropolitan Development in SE Europe: From Conflicting to complementary goals
WP3. Comparative SWOT analysis of the metropolitan regions of Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Thessaloniki: forces of change and forces of interaction
WP4. A Synergic Action Plan for Polycentric Development in SE Europe: Towards a new strategy of regional integration
WP5. Pilot action: measure spread effects of action plan to smaller cities – Case study: Blagoevgrad
WP6. Pre-feasibility study for key investment required in each city in order to facilitate its new role.
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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WP1. The forces of spatial change in S.E. Europe
1. Analyze types of spatial adjustment to the forces of transition, integration, technological and structural change in the 1990s: Trends of convergence or divergence in SEE
2. Identify barriers to regional integration and trans-national cooperation: multiple types of fragmentation and isolation in SEE
3. Evaluate spatial aspects of EU and International Policies in SE Europe: their impact on regional integration
4. Analyze the national urban systems in SEE: Polarized or truncated hierarchies with deficiencies in medium sized cities
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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WP2. Regional Integration and Polycentric Metropolitan Development in SE Europe
1. Analyze the place of the four urban regions in the European / Southeast European system of urban places
2. Identify and evaluate the driving forces of urban development in each case: Link with the international experience
3. Identify national urban hierarchies and the relations of the four metropolitan regions with their hinterlands
4. Analyze existing conditions of small cities in the region
5. Evaluate alternative strategies 6. Specify methods and policies that maximize the
spread effects of the four growth poles7. Demonstrate the advantages of a network – based
poly-centric versus a mono-centric development strategy in terms of growth, integration and spread effects
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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WP3. Comparative SWOT analysis
1. Analyze economic structure and change 2. Examine social characteristics and social dynamics3. Study institutional arrangements related to urban
management and growth4. Evaluate urban social, technical and economic
infrastructure 5. Evaluate land use policies and land use change6. Identify strengths, specializations and comparative
advantages7. Identify weaknesses and disadvantages8. Analyze opportunities and threads9. Evaluate economic potential in the region of SE
Europe10. Evaluate economic potential at the European level
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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WP3. Comparative SWOT analysis (Cont’d).
11. Identify forces and constraints of Interaction among the four Metropolitan regions
12. Analyze economic, administrative and institutional relations among Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Thessaloniki
13. Examine the capacity and quality of transportation, energy, and telecommunication networks
14. Evaluate the importance of scientific networks 15. Analyze tourism and population movements16. Evaluate the role of ethnic groups of residents as
agents of cooperation17. SWOT analysis of the specializations and the type of
relations best fitting the profile of each city18. Evaluate the potential of improving contacts and
relations19. Evaluate the potential of a synergic approach to
regional development in SEE.
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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WP4. A Synergic Plan for Polycentric Development in SEE: A new strategy of regional integration
1. Define the conceptual framework and the goals2. Define the conditions, the requirements and the actors 3. Identify synergies among cities, actors and policies 4. Identify lines of action in key fields of intervention 5. Identify a synergic action plan in key aspects of urban
planning methods and practices, urban management, land use policies, place marketing, inter-national entrepreneurial networks of co-operation, tourism and cultural activities, scientific cooperation, investment and infrastructure development
6. Identify policies actions and methods securing that urban development will be characterized by strong spread effects to hinterland
7. Evaluate urban development and regional integration effects of action plan.
8. Secure follow up and long term impact of project activities
INTERREG III B CADSES
SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania
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Final Findings of the Based on the Questionnaire Survey in the Four Metropolitan
Areas
RIMEDRegional Integration and
Metropolitan Development in SE Europe
INTERREG III B CADSES
WORK PACKAGE 2-4.November 21, 2004Tirana, Albania