1. 1 Regional Integration and Metropolitan Development of SE Europe 4 th Workshop, Tirana, Albania November 21, 2004 RIMED INTERREG III B CADSES

2. 2 SEED, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Greece RIMED January 2003 – June 2005 INTERREG III B CADSES

3. 3 Goal of the Project  Propose an action plan for the metropolitan centers of SEE  Identify a strategy of sustainable urban growth based on trans-national networks of cooperation  Maximize spread effects to national hinderlands and  Promote polycentric development and regional integration in SEE INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

4. 4 Strategy Focus  Sofia  Tirana  Skopje  Thessaloniki INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

5. 5 Project Partners  University of Thessaly (LEAD PARTNER)  Democritus University of Thrace  Organization of Thessaloniki for Master Plan and Environmental Protection of Thessaloniki  University ‘St. Cyril and Methodius,’ Faculty of Economics, Skopje, FYROM  University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria  City of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria  Institute of Economics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria  City of Skopje, Skopje, FYROM  Institute of Economics, Skopje, FYROM  University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania  Prefecture of Tirana, Tirana, Albania  Institute of Labor, Tirana, Albania INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

6. 6 Activities that Promote the Goals  A study analyzing the forces of spatial change in SE Europe  A study analyzing complementarity and conflict in the goals of A) Regional integration and B) polycentric metropolitan development in SE Europe  A comparative SWOT analysis of the metropolitan regions of Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Thessaloniki analyzing forces of change and forces of interaction  Workshops in Sofia, Tirana, and Skopje  A Synergic Action Plan for Polycentric Development in SE Europe, setting forward a new strategy of regional integration INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

7. 7 Activities that Promote the Goals (Cont’d)  International Conference and Annual Forum of SEE Cities in Thessaloniki  Establishment of a coordination unit and a Web site service  Pilot Action for the measurement of the spread effects of action plan to smaller cities: the case of Blagoevgrad  Pre-feasibility study for key investments required in each city in order to facilitate its new role  Staff exchange and a joint training seminar to city officials with special emphasis to synergic approaches network and cooperation in planning and development INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

8. 8 Work Packages of the Project  WP1. The forces of spatial change in S.E. Europe  WP2. Regional Integration and Polycentric Metropolitan Development in SE Europe: From Conflicting to complementary goals  WP3. Comparative SWOT analysis of the metropolitan regions of Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Thessaloniki: forces of change and forces of interaction  WP4. A Synergic Action Plan for Polycentric Development in SE Europe: Towards a new strategy of regional integration  WP5. Pilot action: measure spread effects of action plan to smaller cities – Case study: Blagoevgrad  WP6. Pre-feasibility study for key investment required in each city in order to facilitate its new role. INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

9. 9 WP1. The forces of spatial change in S.E. Europe 1.Analyze types of spatial adjustment to the forces of transition, integration, technological and structural change in the 1990s: Trends of convergence or divergence in SEE 2.Identify barriers to regional integration and trans- national cooperation: multiple types of fragmentation and isolation in SEE 3.Evaluate spatial aspects of EU and International Policies in SE Europe: their impact on regional integration 4.Analyze the national urban systems in SEE: Polarized or truncated hierarchies with deficiencies in medium sized cities INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

10. 10 WP2. Regional Integration and Polycentric Metropolitan Development in SE Europe 1.Analyze the place of the four urban regions in the European / Southeast European system of urban places 2.Identify and evaluate the driving forces of urban development in each case: Link with the international experience 3.Identify national urban hierarchies and the relations of the four metropolitan regions with their hinterlands 4.Analyze existing conditions of small cities in the region 5.Evaluate alternative strategies 6.Specify methods and policies that maximize the spread effects of the four growth poles 7.Demonstrate the advantages of a network – based poly- centric versus a mono-centric development strategy in terms of growth, integration and spread effects INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

11. 11 WP3. Comparative SWOT analysis 1.Analyze economic structure and change 2.Examine social characteristics and social dynamics 3.Study institutional arrangements related to urban management and growth 4.Evaluate urban social, technical and economic infrastructure 5.Evaluate land use policies and land use change 6.Identify strengths, specializations and comparative advantages 7.Identify weaknesses and disadvantages 8.Analyze opportunities and threads 9.Evaluate economic potential in the region of SE Europe 10.Evaluate economic potential at the European level INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

12. 12 WP3. Comparative SWOT analysis (Cont’d). 11.Identify forces and constraints of Interaction among the four Metropolitan regions 12.Analyze economic, administrative and institutional relations among Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Thessaloniki 13.Examine the capacity and quality of transportation, energy, and telecommunication networks 14.Evaluate the importance of scientific networks 15.Analyze tourism and population movements 16.Evaluate the role of ethnic groups of residents as agents of cooperation 17.SWOT analysis of the specializations and the type of relations best fitting the profile of each city 18.Evaluate the potential of improving contacts and relations 19.Evaluate the potential of a synergic approach to regional development in SEE. INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

13. 13 WP4. A Synergic Plan for Polycentric Development in SEE: A new strategy of regional integration 1.Define the conceptual framework and the goals 2.Define the conditions, the requirements and the actors 3.Identify synergies among cities, actors and policies 4.Identify lines of action in key fields of intervention 5.Identify a synergic action plan in key aspects of urban planning methods and practices, urban management, land use policies, place marketing, inter-national entrepreneurial networks of co- operation, tourism and cultural activities, scientific cooperation, investment and infrastructure development 6.Identify policies actions and methods securing that urban development will be characterized by strong spread effects to hinterland 7.Evaluate urban development and regional integration effects of action plan. 8.Secure follow up and long term impact of project activities INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

14. 14 Final Findings of the Based on the Questionnaire Survey in the Four Metropolitan Areas RIMED Regional Integration and Metropolitan Development in SE Europe INTERREG III B CADSES WORK PACKAGE 2-4. November 21, 2004 Tirana, Albania