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Developing Cross-Border Spatial Planning: Establishing a Common Understanding Through a Forthcoming European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Between Galicia and Portugal

Author

Listed:
  • Roberto Vila-Lage

    (Department of Geography, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Praza da Universidade 1, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain)

  • Alejandro Otero-Varela

    (Department of Geography, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Praza da Universidade 1, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain)

  • Valerià Paül

    (Department of Geography, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Praza da Universidade 1, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain)

Abstract

At the border between Galicia (Spain) and Northern Portugal, where three European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) currently operate, the process to establish a fourth one is underway: Raia Seca Gerês/Xurés (RSGX). This new cross-border cooperation structure covers an area rich in natural and cultural heritage and mostly matches the Gerês/Xurés Transboundary Biosphere Reserve designated in 2009. The goal of this paper is to decipher to what extent a common understanding between both sides of the border might enable the delivery of a common spatial plan managed by the EGTC under the auspices of the sustainable development paradigm. The findings obtained from the interviews conducted indicate that borders remain present in the experiences and mentalities of the interviewed stakeholders and that cross-border spatial planning largely depends on territorial agendas linked to national-state sovereignty, hindering its factual implementation. The interviewees expect the future EGTC to serve as a mechanism to channel cooperation and redefine the role of the already designated Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, moving beyond isolated actions funded by Interreg and embracing a more integrated approach to cooperation.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Vila-Lage & Alejandro Otero-Varela & Valerià Paül, 2025. "Developing Cross-Border Spatial Planning: Establishing a Common Understanding Through a Forthcoming European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Between Galicia and Portugal," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:542-:d:1605729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dália Liberato & Elisa Alén & Pedro Liberato & Trinidad Domínguez, 2018. "Governance and cooperation in Euroregions: border tourism between Spain and Portugal," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(7), pages 1347-1365, July.
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    3. Heriberto Cairo & María Lois & Pedro Limón & Sergio Claudio González & Joan Bauzà, 2024. "Mapping with(out) borders: an exploratory cartography of cross-border cooperation in the Spanish-Portuguese raya/raia," Journal of Maps, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 2374337-237, December.
    4. José Manuel Jurado-Almonte & Francisco José Pazos-García & Rui Alexandre Castanho, 2020. "Eurocities of the Iberian Borderland: A Second Generation of Border Cooperation Structures. An Analysis of Their Development Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-21, August.
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