Driving Forces in Macro-Regions European seminar at Ile de France Europe 22 September 2011 in Bruxelles

Opening What is the reason for having Macro-Regions? – Cooperation in Macro-Regions started in 1990ies – European process supported by Interreg – European interest increased in with EC Baltic Sea Strategy – The accelerating globalisation increases their necessity – Today’s markets and international competition require a larger territorial outlook and a higher critical mass – Potentials: – Bring added value, development and competitiveness through exploring comparative advantages together – Have a positive effect on cohesion and territorial balance at EU scale – Support to European Integration

Ile De France What should be large Metropolitan areas role in a Macro-Region? – Considered a major economic, social and cultural driving force and asset for the entire territory – Work for investments and development in the Macro- regional context – Support processes of integration and cooperation – Benchmark itself in relation to – Rural and urban territories inside the Macro-region – Larger metropolitan areas in Europe and in the World – Develop upon endogenous potential – Take initiative to concrete territorial cooperation projects with partners from the Macro-region and with larger Metropolitan areas outside the Macro-region

World City Network, 2008 – 4 major agglomeration of metropolitan regions at world scale: –Europe –India and neighbours –China-Korea-Japan –US East –Cooperation potential?

Internet Users in the world, Average annual growth rate

European Cohesion Challenge (imbalances 2000)

Places driving the European Economy Urban places are main drivers of economy Functionality the key for success What is considered the Macro Region of Ile de France?

European Metropolitan Urban Regions Europe’s core area: Pentagon London, Paris, Milano, München, Hamburg 14% territory 32% population 46% GDP Dynamic fringes Barcelona / Atlantic Arc Vienna-Bratislava Copenhagen-Malmoe Manchester area Challenges in peripheries

National level: Capital and Secondary Cities ES – UK – NL – FR

Growth in cities and surrounding regions

European cities in Global and European networks Position in economic and research networks is determined by the accumulation of wealth, skill and population A few dominant cities (London and Paris) Followed by cities well integrated in global networks (Madrid, Stockholm, Zurich) Most cities (200 of 271) only have modest participation in networks

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Session Flow What are the Driving Forces in Macro-Regions? “Macro-regions in Europe - Ile de France, the space of flows” Kathy Pain, GaWC “The Metropolitan Potential and its Added Value” Philippe Matheron, DATAR Debate