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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

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SEED, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Greece

RIMED

January 2003 – June 2005

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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

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SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

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Strategy Focus

SofiaTiranaSkopjeThessaloniki

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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WORK PACKAGE 2-4.November 21, 2004Tirana, Albania