A Countryside without borders The MHAL Region in its international environment by Luc MARECHAL Inspector-General Walloon Region (B) - Spatial Planning in collaboration with Aad BLOKLAND Sonia VECKMANS

The MHAL Region Historic overview (1989 – 1993) Maastricht, Heerlen, Aachen, Liège, Hasselt- Genk Objective : transnational collaboration Result : “Spatial development perspective”, a strategic document with policy guidelines in the field of regional economy, transport of passengers and goods, industrial and commercial zones, urban development, rural area, tourism and leisures, environment

1993

Liège Maastricht Aachen Heerlen Sittard-Geelen Verviers Eupen The MHAL Region is part of the major northwest european urban fringe

Aims of the 3 Countries Park To preserve the quality of the Open Space in the urbanized environment of MHAL cities through : a careful spatial planning strengthening the sectors which contribute to the quality of the rural open space elaboration of transnational implementation projects (MHAL perspectief, 1993)

The 3 Countries Park

Partners Provincie Limburg (NL) Vlaamse Gewest (B) Provincie Limburg (B) Région wallonne (B) Province de Liège (B) Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft (B) Kreis Aachen (D) Stadt Aachen (D) Bezirksregierung Köln (D) with assistance of the Benelux Economic Union

Development Perspective of the 3 Countries Park A strategic document (2003)

Which sectors are concerned? Landscape, culture and history Nature, water and environment Agriculture Tourism Urbanization and infrastructure

Landscape, culture and history

Objectives Cultural and historical landscape for instance by the reintegration and the preservation of landscape elements (hedges, ponds,…). Reintegration of functional variation and soil use. Characteristics A great variety in history, cultural heritage, traditions and languages on short distance = added value for the inhabitants and visitors but it can also be considered as an obstacle for the communication between the different linguistic groups. Cultural heritage, nature and landscape are crucial factors for future development of the region.

Urbanisation and infrastructure

Semi-open spaces within the city ring (buffer zones)

Land use

Nature, water and environment

The 3 Countries Park is located between two important European ecological corridors and has therefore an international ecological function (Natura 2000) : a natural dry woody area : Vosges - Eifel - Ardennes - South Limbourg - Belgian Campine a wet ecological area : the Meuse Valley and its affluents.

One of the 3CP goals is to consolidate some ecological links between natural forest areas in the Ardennes (NW) and the Belgian Campine (NW) through rivers and streams valleys. Places where the ecological links cross the current infrastructure in the city ring.

Agriculture

Large cereal cultures (Hesbaye and Selfkant plateau) Cereal and fruit cultures, breeding and mixed soil use in the area of the 3CP Woody areas, meadows and heathersin in the more steepy sides of 3CP valleys and in the woody areas of the Eifel, Ardennes and Campine.

Characteristics Large commercial agriculture range in the border regions. Reduced multifunctional land use range inside the Park. Objectives To encourage a market local products. To support agricultural aiming at widening the offered services (leisure, therapy,…). To involve more an more the farmers into the nature, water and landscape management process.

Tourism

Characteristics “Unique” region defined by its cultural, historical and landscape diversity. Close to cities offering large possibilities of leisure. Inside countryside area with more modest attractions mainly for one-day tourists. Streams valleys and natural areas with few soft-tourism equipments. Objectives Promote tourism and recreation, but keep large scale activities in the urban fringe.

Identify concrete cross-border projects (2003 – 2004) Some examples : Implementation of ecological corridors Define city – countryside relationships Touristical cooperation between the 4 regions Cross border recreational facilities “Meeting Platforms” between citizens, rural population, politicians,...

Cross-border cooperation : a political challenge Collegial administrative decision-making process in the 4 regions Agreement by all authorities of the development perspective Elaboration of cross-border themes and regional plans Adapted organizational structure

And in the future ? A stronger basis in the political and administrative fields for example by using a new legal instrument, a kind of a european cooperation structure : a Cross-border regional authority ? Interregional context : preserve together the open space which is the common wealth of three countries.