Impacts du travail frontalier sur le développement des villes et villages lorrains situés à proximité de la frontière

This paper discusses the impact of border work on territorial development in Lorraine. The author begins with a general introduction to the consequences of European integration and border work on spatial planning. The context of Lorraine and the cross-border workers commuting to Luxembourg is presented in detail. One of the most important findings is the fact that “the cross-border workers < control > the development of these areas” (p. 299). This development requires coordination on the part of politicians, which proves difficult in terms of the distribution of competences and powers. Nevertheless, the author has observed a growing awareness at various political levels. Thus, the aspect of the “cross-border workers” is taken into account in the local and intercommunal urban development documents (municipal map, local urbanization plan and territorial coherence scheme). Some regional and national politicians express the need to recognize cross-border issues in the region (project contracts 2007-2013, studies by the Economic, Social and Environmental Council of Lorraine, strategic government action projects in the Lorraine region, spatial planning directive). The development of the cross-border agglomeration Esch-sur-Alzette-Belval / Villerupt / Audun-le-Tiche is an operation of national interest and the Lorraine region is part of various institutions such as the “Greater Region Summit” or the “Interregional Parliamentary Council.” The European Union has provided numerous instruments to promote cross-border cooperation.

Under the title “local dynamics,” the improvement of the accessibility of the territories, the increase in housing construction, the development of services and facilities as well as financial and tax support are discussed. It is noted that the majority of cross-border workers commute by private car. In order to facilitate cross-border mobility, better coordination of transport policy has been implemented. To illustrate this cooperation, several examples are presented. The housing industry is seen as a source of growth, but it also has negative effects, such as the increase in housing prices. Population growth implies a high demand for facilities and services. The new buildings resulting from this growth lead to an increase of the assessment basis for property and residential tax. However, a desire is often expressed to divide the tax revenue of the workers (taxed in Luxembourg) in order to resolve the distribution of the burden. Despite many advantages, it is important to note that benefits are distributed unfairly across territories and that significant disparities develop. Approaches are proposed for development prospects of the municipalities, such as inter-communal cooperation or the creation of “European associations of territorial cooperation.” The author emphasizes the importance of good communication between the political levels for the definition of a “specifically European spatial planning.”

Content

• Introduction: The need for a “specifically European spatial planning”
• The Lorraine cross-border workers: more than half of the employed population in the communities close to the border
• A growing awareness among local, regional, national and European politicians regarding the impact of border work on territorial development
• A crucial place in local and inter-municipal politics
• Regional and national politicians
• Provision of a variety of instruments by the European Union
• Border work as a reason for a new local dynamism
• Improving the accessibility of the territories
• Growth in residential construction
• Development of services and facilities
• Financial and tax assistance
• Unequal impact on the areas
• Creating significant disparities in economic and social development
• Territories in trouble 
• Reflections on perspectives of the development of Lorraine municipalities near the border with regard to the expected development of border work
• A multitude of tasks to be solved in terms of territorial cohesion
• Maintaining the sometimes severely impaired economic and social cohesion
• Result: an increasing dependence in the next few years with regard to border work