News

The Eurocity of Guadiana promotes a pioneering territorial coordination project in the European Union

The Eurocity of Guadiana - comprising Ayamonte, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António - will be the setting for an innovative project at European level. Thanks to funding from the European Union, through the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, the Association of Border Regions of Europe (AEBR) and the Cross Border Operational Mission (MOT), a piloto action will be launched to provide the Eurocity with a joint spatial planning instrument.

Under the framework of the Guadiana Cross-Border Observatory and through an inter-municipal working group, a document will be drawn up that articulates the different urban and territorial plans of the three municipalities. This instrument will make it possible to define shared growth options, ensuring that future developments are carried out in a complementary and coordinated manner.

With this new step, the Eurocity of Guadiana reinforces its role as a European reference in cross-border cooperation. Over the last few years, it has already been a pioneer with the drafting of one of the first EU cross-border urban agendasThe EU is also promoting joint management plans in strategic areas such as tourism and cultural heritage.

Cross-border spatial planning not only brings coherence and cohesion to the shared space, but also facilitates the construction of joint infrastructures, the creation of shared public spaces and a coordinated response to global challenges such as climate change. climate change or the sustainable management of natural resources.

The benefits of this cooperation are clear: improvement in the quality of life of citizens, balanced economic development and an increase in the competitiveness of the business fabric. By joining forces, the municipalities of Ayamonte, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António demonstrate how territorial integration can become a lever for resilience and shared prosperity.

Source: The Trapézio 

Author: Mr. Pablo González Velasco