News
The Doubs Urban Conurbation: "We need to develop local cross-border cooperation"
September 2021
Seven years after its creation, the LGCC* of the Doubs Urban Conurbation (Agglomération Urbaine du Doubs – AUD) has shown its effectiveness in helping local elected representatives to get to know one another better, which has enabled them to set out joint projects while at the same time speaking with one voice on behalf of the binational territory.
An urban and economic centre at the heart of the Jura Arc, the cross-border interactions here are numerous. The area is unusual in having an economy based on identical and complementary sectors in the fields of microtechnology and micromechanics.
However, while there is a steadily growing number of cross-border workers and a buoyant tourism sector bringing in visitors with purchasing power, its incomplete road network and a rail link that struggles to meet users’ needs constitute barriers to its accessibility. This need to improve mobility, both internally and externally, is now a priority.
The AUD is also active in other areas that are vital for its attractiveness, such as spatial planning, healthcare and citizenship, in liaison with the higher and competent authorities concerned. The aim is to arrive at a competitive and sustainable balance, while remaining faithful to the framework agreement adopted by Neuchâtel Canton, the Burgundy - Franche-Comté Region and the Doubs Department.
“It is our duty to develop local cross-border cooperation by involving civil society. With no linguistic barrier, we can only strengthen our common identity, by encouraging the spread of information about cross-border activities in areas such as training, culture and youth. It is also our role to support cross-border micro-projects and events. Our new website is a first response to this need. Today it’s a crucial challenge within our societies that are tending to turn in on themselves,” Pierre Vaufrey President of the Doubs Urban Conurbation and Deputy Mayor of Morteau, explains.
* Local grouping of cross-border cooperation.
Read the editorial by Pierre Vaufrey, President of the Doubs Urban Conurbation and Deputy Mayor of Morteau
Photo: Upgrade works on the "Watchmakers' line". Agglomération Urbaine du Doubs
