Call for proposals – Belgeo 2-2013 Modelling and benchmarking of borders

Guest editors: Anne-Laure Amilhat-Szary, Gregory Hamez, Didier Paris, Bernard Reitel, Olivier Walther

The study of cross border spaces is often conducted with reference to a specific context to the extent that no border can be understood without analysing the unique constellations of States, regional and local entities bound together by a shared history. This special issue of Belgeo intends to open new directions to overcome the monographic approach and to reach a modelling of these spaces. Modelling often implies a quantitative methodology, which can be difficult to execute in border studies where data comparability can be an issue. Therefore, this issue will also focus on qualitative approaches to border modelling and welcomes contributions that address methodological and conceptual issues. The papers will contribute to such a theoretical framework, on any of the following themes: - Modelling of cross-border spaces and their evolution (modelling in terms of spatial analysis, geopolitical analysis, spatial patterns (choreme), textual analysis, narratives analysis) - Methodological approaches to collecting and representing cross-border data. How to define a cross-border space, according to what criteria? Among other things, this raises the question of the cartographic representation as well as the innovation in standards and the MAUP – Modifiable Areas Unit Problem - The qualitative or quantitative approaches taking into account the representations or perceptions related to borders. The border is a meaningful limit which structures the identities. By what concepts approaching the degree of appropriation of cross-border spaces, and the sense of spatial belonging expressed by the people? - The qualitative or quantitative approaches to evaluate the integration and construction of cross border territories. Some cross border spaces tend to institutionalise as planning entities, especially in Europe. Are there identifiable models of cross border cooperation and of governance? Which evaluation procedures can be applied to the development strategies and governance tools? - A comparative approach to spaces. Are models necessarily constructed at the global scale, or are there distinctive continental/regional models that are emerging?

The papers may also address the question of benchmarking and the exemplary nature of interaction and integration processes across some borders, under the following themes: - Which typology of borders can account for the levels of dissymmetry, interaction and their evolution? - What are the links between “model” and “good practices”? Which links and differences occur between both approaches, and how can these be analysed? - Which analytical framework could be used to compare the cross border spaces in different regions of the world? - Can and should the European cross-border context be considered as an example for other world regions in a process of integration? Are other world regions adopting different, alternative, models of cross-border coordination?

Proposals should be sent to Belgeo’s publishing secretary and guest editors (cvdmotte@ulb.ac.be and gregory.hamez@univ-lorraine.fr) by the end of October 2012. Please provide a title and a short text outlining the subject and the aims of the paper. Full papers should be submitted before mid-February 2013 to Belgeo (cvdmotte@ulb.ac.be).