Conurbations 
 

 

Eurocity Görtlitz - Zsorzelec

Territorial authorities concerned:
Germany
Poland

• Town of Görlitz

• Town of Zgorzelec



Number of inhabitants:

Around 94,000 inhabitants of whom 60,000 on the German side.


 

Historical and geographical context


Görlitz was divided between Germany and Poland following World War II. The right bank thereby became the town of Zgorzelec, in Poland. German reunification and European enlargement in 2004 have encouraged intensification of cooperation between the two towns. While Görlitz is seeing a fall in its population, the population of Zgorzelec is increasing. The level of unemployment on the Polish side is between 17 and 18% and exceeds 20% on the German side. The difference on an economic level is still very large. Local cross-border flows primarily involve the inhabitants of Görlitz who cross to the Polish side of the border to take advantage of consumer services and goods which are less expensive than in Germany. It is estimated that around 3000 Polish workers cross the border on a daily basis (in 2006).

 

 Background of the move to cross-border cooperation


Cross-border cooperation has gradually become established since 1965. On 5 May 1998 Görlitz and Zgorzelec brought the ‘Eurocity Zgorzelec/Görlitz’ into being by signing a joint declaration. Poland’s entry into the European Union in 2004 positively contributed to the evolution of this cooperation. In order to provide a framework a common development strategy was jointly created. This cooperation path, based on strong links between the two mayors, developed all the more in daily life as the size of the two towns and the proximity of the two local authorities make exchanges easier.


Running of the cross-border administration

- Close cooperation at a local level without any real external impetus: Due to the size and the proximity of the two towns there is no common administrative structure. In addition, receiving little support at a regional or national level, this cross-border cooperation is supported by the Euroregion Neisse within the framework of Interreg IIIA.

- The internal running of the administrative structure: A Political Committee (the two mayors) provides political support, a Joint Municipal Council discusses the progress made and the outlook of the Cooperation Project and the Coordination Committee prepares the sessions of the Joint City Council, thanks to the Coordination Committee of the working groups.

The topics dealt with are diverse including notably town planning and housing, economic development, infrastructure, tourism….

 

Symbolic projects 


- Development of the old town in Zgorzelec: This project came into being by means of a European competition aimed at young architects from all over Europe.  The funding was provided by the two communities and the ERDF.

- Joint application for the title of European Capital of Culture 2010



- Cross-border fire brigade


 

Unique features of the territorial project 


- Two border towns with an uninterrupted urban area yet difficult to integrate in a territorial project: Although some remain reticent on the Polish side regarding total integration of the cross-border urban area the local authorities continue to cooperate with the goal of establishing a joint urban development plan.

- Some issues remain in spite of a clearly committed political process of cross-border cooperation:  The language barrier as well as the socioeconomic divide and differing legislation are the main difficulties encountered but this process has the advantage of not relying on changes in the council majority.

- Involving the populations and the emergence of a cross-border identity: While on the Polish side the emergence of a feeling of cross-border identity is constantly increasing, on the German side the usefulness of the border region is regarded more or less positively by the inhabitants.
There is no specific communication policy for the promotion of the Eurocity Görlitz/Zgorzelec but the local media report events in cross-border cooperation.

- Networking of European cross-border conurbations: Görlitz and Zgorzelec are members of the City Twins association created following the Interreg IIIC project ‘City Twins Co-operation Network’, partner of the EUROMOT network since 2007.