agnieszka dudek maciej kaczmarek sergi bañuls riera alba sala vidal sonja lukkarinen mikko heinonen...
TRANSCRIPT
THE COMMERCIAL ROLE OF BORDER AREA
Agnieszka Dudek
Maciej Kaczmarek
Sergi Bañuls Riera
Alba Sala Vidal
Sonja Lukkarinen
Mikko Heinonen
THE CASE OF FRANKFURT (ODER) – SLUBICE
CONTENTS Introduction
Theoretical framework
- Definitions
History of Frankfurt(Oder) and Słubice
Commercial impact of tourism
Cooperation in twin towns
-Sewege treatment plant in Guben-Gubin
-Eurocentrum in Guben-Gubin
-Public transport in Frankfurt(Oder)-Słubice
-Results of interview
Change in landscape
Conclusions
References
Examined area
The boundary between the Polish and Germany is often called border on the Oder and Neisse rivers.
Length of Polish-German border was 467 km, which accounted for 13% of the Polish frontiers.
The border started on the junction of the three borders: German, Czech and Polish
Theoretical framework and methods
The theoretical framework used in our research is placed in the field of social and cultural geography. Border studies have developed remarkably from the times, when the term “border” meant only a hard, state-separating line, to the times of processes, effects and people-central analysis (Newman 2003).
The method used was an narrative analysis of texts and transcription of the interviews.
Data was collected from the streets, articles and internet.
Focus on the big picture but also some spesific examples.
Study questions:
1. What is the commercial role of border areas?
2. Which are the commercial differences between Germany and Poland at the borderland areas?
3. Which are the factors that make people to cross the border?
4. How does the border impacts to the landscape from the commercial point of view?
DEFINITIONDouble townDouble town is an administrative city region constituted from two contiguous cities. Double towns share a common government and public sector. Double towns are often formed because of a need for the dense cooperation between cities and because of an attempts to improve the friendship, economy and cultural understanding.
DEFINITION
Twin town Twin towns or sister towns are regions similar to double towns, but they have an independent government. The term “twin town” is generally considered as an expression of strong cooperation and a shared business trade.
DEFINITION
Borderland The borderland is the region or area in a relative close proximity to the border within which the dynamics of change and daily life practices are affected by the very presence of the border.
DEFINITIONLandscape
Landscape is such an wide environment observed by using different senses. The term landscape was defined by an German geographer Alexander von Humboldt in 1800-century, and it is often used for describing the different dimensions of the environment or specific region / place.
HISTORY
The German – Polish border region took the first steps in reconciliation and cooperation with the introduction of visa-free travel at the end of 1971, the Polish Eastern border waited for a similar opportunity until well into the 1990s.
The former German towns straddling the newly drawn border were forcibly partitioned, producing a number of „divided towns” including Gorlitz-Zgorzelec, Guben-Gubin, Frankfurt an der Oder – Słubice, Bad Muskau – Łęknica.
The Polish – German border
And now the border between twons almost doesn’t exist. On the both sides it began formed a bazar and projects that started a communication, cooperation and commercial role between country.
TOURISM
The tourism can be considered one of the great engines of the commercial area where the border has allowed a large influx of population.
Main attractions by the Germans tobacco, alcohol, meat and agricultural products among others. Main attractions by the Polish pharmacy and personal care items, clothes, food, shoes and electronic devices.
We attribute this to the fact basically to the economic difference between the two countries, which acts as an advertisement for the close situation of the local area.
In the economic aspect of the area, also has played a very important role that the attraction generates Berlin as its location is approximately to 90 kilometers away.
The behavior and characteristics of consumers led to create a purchasing system specific in the borderline area. We found two types of establishments, one inspired in the local people (more stable) and where German citizens are frequent. On the other hand we find the German market opened slightly to the Polish population.The socioeconomic status of citizens is also very important for the two cities.
The fact to receive a large influx of public of the other side of the river Oder, in both cases, are due as a result of:- Changes in the 1990’s
in the EU- Poland's accession to
the EU (2004)- Schengen area (2007)
The dissolution of the border led to an increase in prices, increased German investment in Poland and job opportunities in Germany.
The Bazar
The importance of these facilities in the border trade due to its proximity and good accessibility for the people of both sides of the border.
The bazaar was opened in 1991 inspired by the frequent visits of people from different parts of Germany, with several points of sale, service and restoration.These first installations suffered a memorable fire in January 2007.
In 2011 was opened a new bazaar built in the same place as the old, open every day of the week.
The current crisis sales have declined to the point that the economy generated by commercial tourism has stalled and is not as prosperous as in previous years.
1. KLEIST MUSEUM
FRANKFURT (ODER)
2/3. ST. MARIENKIRCHE AND ST. GERTRAUDENKIRCHE
4. MUSEUM VIADRINA
5. MUSEUM JUNGE KUNST
6/7. THE CONCERT HALL OF EMANUEL BACH AND THE THEATER KLEIST FORUM
8. ONKEL HELMUT
SLUBICE
9. MONUMENT LEOPOLD VON BRUNSWICK
10. COLLEGIUM POLONICUM
11. SMOK
12. SHOOTING HOUSE
13. CENTRE STADIUM SPORT AND RECREATION
14. BAZAR
15. OLD JEWISH CEMETERY
THE WAY OF ST. JAMES
The Way of St. James is the most famous European
pilgrim route is considered in many countries to be a
symbol connecting religions, cultures and different ways
of life. Over 1000 years old route brings pilgrims to
Santiago de Compostela in the north west of Spain,
where the remains of the apostle St. James are buried.
THE ODER-NEIßE CYCLING ROUTE:
The Oder-Neiße Cycling Route follows
along the two rivers and through three
countries the Czech Republic, Poland
and Germany. The cycling route
stretches almost the entire length of
the German-Polish border. It ventures
630 kilometers.
GUBIN-GUBEN SEWEGE TREATMENT PLANT
A major project is scheduled for completion in Gubin on 2 May 1998, a joint wastewater treatment plant. Its mission is to support the two cities. It uses the different types of processes, which meant that it is one of the most modern of its kind in Poland. This investment was made as part of a pilot program in the field of environmental protection. Its goal is the construction of the city sewer Gubin. Was financed entirely with funds provided by the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Land of Brandenburg and the EU support funds - PHARE CBC.
German-Polish Eurocentrum in Gubin-Guben
Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported in Guben. This process is becoming more and more visible from 20 November 1998 when it created the German-Polish institution whose aim is to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Head it is precisely in Guben. It’s task is to making cross-border cooperation. Eurocentum also offers all interested economic operators and large range of services:
- business consulting (commercial law, economic),
-organization of cooperative exchanges,
- moderating seminars and workshops of a business,
- access to a rich database of traders.
Bazar MANHATTAN – „Here you can bay everything!”
"Urban Bazaar Manhattan" is a unique market. On
its site you can find products from more than
1,000 traders. It should also be noted that this is
one of the largest bazaars in Europe. It stands out
from other competitive prices, huge selection,
healthy organic products. In fact, on its site you
can buy almost anything.
Its location is associated with the border crossing.
It is located near Mużakowski Park and is
considered a large shopping center - services.
The site of this city, you can find items from
different industries. The most common on the
bazaar assortment are: Food, wickerwork,
ceramics, clothing, haberdashery, confectionery,
footwear, jewelery, textiles, souvenirs, tobacco
products, electronic equipment, automotive
accessories.
Numerous bars and eateries offer insight Polish
cuisine, regional dishes.
Public transport in Frankfurt der Oder and Słubice
The bus line number 983 in Slubice and Frankfurt an der Oder - was the first in the history of Polish-German border city public transportation. bus line connect Słubice-Polish with German-Frankfurt der Oder, buses going from 9 December 2012. This operation is based on an agreement between the Municipality Słubice and Municipal Communication Company Frankfurt (SVF).
It runs from the Frankfurt train station to Słubice Heroes' Square. In 9-13 hours, the first station on the German side of the square is in front of the European University Viadrina. Ticket price is paid in euros and is 1.40 €. The frequency rates of one per hour.
The results of the interview
Questions:
-Where do you come from?
-What do you buy usually?
-What do you think about public transport between Frankfurt der Oder and
Słubice?
What do German usually buy in Polish side?
13%
20%
13%33%
13%
7%
oilclothescigarettesfoodchemical productcosmetic
20%
80%
usedo not use
On the German side people see
the advantages of a bus line
because they can get to the
bazaar, the town center and
railway station. However, most
do not use this type of
communication because they
prefer to move cars.
The German people are coming
to Polish to buy different kinds
of products. For the most
frequently purchased can
include food, gasoline, clothes.
Many residents also draws
attention to the quality of the
products, which in Poland is
higher than in Germany.Public transport in Frankfurt der Oder:
What do polish usually bay on german side? The custmores are
from Słubice, Zielona Góra, Berlin, Katowice. Mostly residents are supported the public transport between Frankfurt and Słubice. Only one person says negative about bus transport.
Problems:-ticket only in euro-only one type ticket-no monthly ticket-no discounts on ticket for children
33%
27%
7%
7%
13%
13%
chemical product foodvineeletronic equipmentclothescandy
67%
33%
Public transport in Słubice
usedo not use
Change in the landscape
• Commercial point of view historical scale, tourism,
cooperation of twin towns.
• Historical: Agriculture became less important after commercial
growth, old buildings turned into historical monuments. Newer
buildings changed the landscape.
• Cooperation: National parks, traffic, renovation of old buildings,
landscaping, sewege plant etc.
• Tourism: Bazaar, shops, advertisements, amount of border
crossings -> services, harbor development etc.
• Mental landscape: Environment , service designings, sense of
place, also social or only commercial relationships attitudes?
Conclusions
• Commercial role of the border areas is very important since
nowadays the border unites rather than separates different
regions.
• Relation between Germany and Poland has always been widely
commercial impacts from behind many years of difficult history.
• Polish retail market is supplemented by trading goods from
Germany while the German market, in turn, is supplied by the
Polish products.
• Relations between the Polish German border in 2013 are good,
residents are divided on the cooperation with the German side.
• In Frankfurt in contrast to Slubice not find all these small shops
related to snuff or alcohol. In Frnakfurt we can find shops and
restaurants belonging to powerful chains stores like H & M or
McDonalds.
REFERENCES Brym, Michelle Janet (2009). The Integration of European Union Borderlands:
Polish Views on Cross-Border Mobility and Cooperation Across the Polish-
German Border. University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Janczak, Jaroslav (2011). De-bordering, re-bordering and symbols on the European
boundaries. Collegium Polonicum (Slubice)
Janczak, Jaroslav (2007). Rediscovering Europe: Political challenges in the 21st
century EU. Institute of political sciences and journalism, Adam Mickiewicz
University, Poznan.
Newman, David (2003). On borders and power: A theoretical framework.
Routledge Informa Ltd.
(Frankfurt(Oder) – Slubice twin city association center website, read 14.5.2014,
http://www.citytwins.org/en/page/18/
Leknica city official website, www.leknica.pl read 13.5.2014
Slubice city official website, www.slubice.pl read 13.5.2014
Gubin-Guben city official website, www.gubin.pl read 13.5.2014
Polish government official website, www.stat.gov.pl read 13.5.2014
www.polskazachodnia2020.pl, read 13.5.2014
Sewege treatment plant of Gubin-Guben, official website, www.pos.zgora.pl read
13.5.2014
www.ekoprojekty.pl read 13.5.2014