Peyrony, J., Sielker, F., & Perrin, T. (2022). Cross-border territorial cooperation between France and Germany: evolution, convergence and perspectives. In E. Gustedt, U. Grabski-Kieron, C. Demazière, & D. Paris (Eds.), Cities and Metropolises in France and Germany (Vol. 20, pp. 180–199).
Over the past thirty years, new forms and mechanisms of governance have multiplied
in the border regions of Europe. The French-German border has seemed to distin-
guish itself as an early adopter of new cooperation frameworks, often instigated by
developments on the European level on the one hand and by bilateral national
cooperation on the other hand. This paper delivers an analysis of French and German
policies for territorial cooperation, and of the evolution of cross-border cooperation
between the two countries. Taking the example of the Greater Region and the Upper-
Rhine Region, we scrutinise two different representations of cross-border institu-
tionalisation in-depth. We then discuss the renewed prospects for border regions
stemming from the bilateral French-German Aachen Treaty. Following this analysis,
we make use of three conceptual lenses − multi-level governance, soft spaces and
inter-territoriality − to reflect on the evolution of territorial cooperation across this
border. In conclusion, our reflections on the French-German situation inspire
recommendations for a next phase in the development of European cross-border
cooperation.