<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Transborder co-operation is shaped by many factors and thus takes various forms on particular bor-ders. Within the same formal-legal arrangements under Interreg Programmes, the greatest role in the diver-sification of co-operation was played by non-system-related conditions specific to particular border regions. To identify what specifically drives co-operation, the nature of Polish-German and Polish-Czech transborder co-operation was compared. On the basis of the research conducted, it can be said that the existence of similar conditions on both sides of the border may define specific directions of co-operation and hence be called an inte-grating factor. Coupled with relatively weak barriers, this integrating factor may exert a powerful influence on the development and character of transborder co-operation. Thus, in the process of shaping co-operation policy it is crucial to identify the existing integrating factor (or to define the possibilities of creating it) and to limit the impact of co-operation barriers.</p></abstract>

Transborder co-operation is shaped by many factors and thus takes various forms on particular bor-ders. Within the same formal-legal arrangements under Interreg Programmes, the greatest role in the diver-sification of co-operation was played by non-system-related conditions specific to particular border regions. To identify what specifically drives co-operation, the nature of Polish-German and Polish-Czech transborder co-operation was compared. On the basis of the research conducted, it can be said that the existence of similar conditions on both sides of the border may define specific directions of co-operation and hence be called an inte-grating factor. Coupled with relatively weak barriers, this integrating factor may exert a powerful influence on the development and character of transborder co-operation. Thus, in the process of shaping co-operation policy it is crucial to identify the existing integrating factor (or to define the possibilities of creating it) and to limit the impact of co-operation barriers.

The Role of the Integrating Factor in the Shaping of Transborder Co-Operation: The Case of Poland

Institute of Geography and Regional Development, Department of Spatial Management, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland

Quaestiones Geographicae

Transborder co-operation is shaped by many factors and thus takes various forms on particular bor-ders. Within the same formal-legal arrangements under...

The Role of the Integrating Factor in the Shaping of Transborder Co-Operation: The Case of Poland

Published Online: Dec 20, 2010

Page range: 65 - 73

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10117-010-0032-3

Keywords
transborder co-operation, border regions, Interreg Programmes, integrating factor

This content is open access.

The Role of the Integrating Factor in the Shaping of Transborder Co-Operation: The Case of Poland

Published Online: Dec 20, 2010

Page range: 65 - 73

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10117-010-0032-3

Keywordstransborder co-operation, border regions, Interreg Programmes, integrating factor

This content is open access.

Keywords
transborder co-operation, border regions, Interreg Programmes, integrating factor