Who hasn’t yet had difficulty in finding a detailed map of the border region in France or Belgium? Socio-economic and demographic data often stop at the border as the data collection methods and definitions used do not correspond.

From the very beginning this caused us to face many practical challenges. A first challenge was the creation of a digital map that maps both regions and to which statistical data can be linked. A second challenge was the collection and processing of the statistical information. We were soon confronted with the limits of data collection: data registration does not always take place in the same year in both countries, the data collection level often shows more differences than similarities and last but not least not all indicators are defined in a univocal manner. The need for more uniform international data collection standards is certainly one of the lessons we can learn from this project.

The results of this project can be found in a ‘Cross-border Atlas: from Berck to Bruges, one border, two regions, one single horizon’. This atlas was published in early 2007 and offers an innovative view on the cross-border region.

The coastal area covered in the study stretches from Berck in the hinterland of Montreuil to Bruges in the North of West Flanders and thus covers a 7,000 km² coastal strip. This area shows a certain coherence in the geographical, historical as well as cultural field.

Examining and comparing the statistics, representing them on cartographic maps, placing interpretations, that is what the atlas can be used for. Cross-border research offers both regions the opportunity to get to know their respective strengths and weaknesses and to analyse the proposed solutions on both sides of the border. The atlas highlights both the differences and the similarities between the French and Belgian coastal regions. These elements point out the common interests of both regions within a European context on the one hand and identify possible new areas of cooperation on the other.

Come discover and download this atlas and the corresponding maps!

For each order, please contact the project partners.

'Cross-border Atlas' french/dutch (63 MB)

Maps

Presentation (5 MB)