TERCO - European Territorial Cooperation as a Factor of Growth, Jobs and Quality of Life

1. TERCO - European Territorial Cooperation as a Factor of Growth, Jobs and Quality of Life Workshop 4: Development of urban regions in Europe: Key drivers and perspectives 13th June 2012, Aalborg Department of Planning and Regional DevelopementUniversity of Thessaly, School of Engineering

2. Key objectives of TERCO • TA2020: “Co-operation is key to fostering smart, inclusive and sustainable growth and territorial cohesion in the EU” • to estimate the impact that various types of territorial cooperation has on socio-economic development; • to assess the adequacy of existing territorial cooperation domains and areas; • to identify key determinants of successful territorial cooperation; and • to establish good practices of governance for successful territorial cooperation.

3. Analysed co-operation among twinning cities as one type of territorial co-operation Created unique pan-European database on twinning city networking from internet sources (Wikipedia - city web sites) Carried out Network Analyses of intensity and degree of twining city cooperation Carried out Case Studies to find out: • substance behind city-twinning co-operation • importance of twinning co-operation for development, international flows • determinants/drivers of city twinning co-operation • Future desired domains for city-twinning co-operation TERCO links with urban development Source: Adam Płoszaj

4. Territorial Agenda 2020: “The cooperation and networking of cities could contribute to smart development of city regions at varying scales in the long run” Results: network of twinning cities within ESPON area Source: Adam Płoszaj

5. Results: network of twinning cities beyond ESPON area Source: Adam Płoszaj

6. Results: How much substance is in twinning city networking? Source: Electronic survey

7. Results: Impact of twin city co-operation on development Source: Electronic survey

8. Results: Keydeterminants of co-operation PROXIMITY – co-operation with the neighbours HISTORIAC LINKS – co-operation initiated in the past LANGUAGE and CULTURE – similarities Source: Adam Płoszaj

9. Themes which will gain more interest in twinning city co-operation are: cultural events, tourism, educational exchange, economic co-operation Themes which are loosing popularity: infrastructure, risk prevention, spatial planning Future themes of twinning city co-operation Source: Electronic survey

10. The direct impact of city co-operation on development is rather small however .. intermediate impact of city co-operation on development is significant through its contribution to: • institutional capacity building, professionalization of staff (incl. language competences), exchange of experience, circulation of innovative ideas and strategies, etc. Cities located in EU peripheral regions are more willing to co-operate Big cities are leading in twin city co-operation Future co-operation within twining cities will focus on: culture, tourism, educational exchange and economic co-operation Transcontinental co-operation tackles important issues (emigration, compatibility of social systems – health, insurance, etc.) TERCO Experience on urban development driven by co-operation

11. Thank you for your attention ! http://esponterco.wordpress.com/