Cross-Border Polycentric Metropolitan Regions : The Case of the Greater Region

Abstract: This thesis aims to analyze the extent to which the concept of cross-border polycentric metropolitan regions (CBPMR) can be applied to the cross-border region “the Greater Region”. The concept of CBPMR is rather new since metropolitan regions have not been suspected of existing in cross-border locations until recently, due to the separating function of national borders. This analysis is based on a theoretical discussion of the concepts of cross-border regions, polycentricity and metropolitan regions. The application of the concepts to the Greater Region leads to the result that the core of the region can be defined as a small scale CBPMR. The elaboration of strengths and weaknesses of this regions helps to identify opportunities to develop the small-scale CBPMR as an internationally well known region.