TERRA – AN EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY IN SPATIAL PLANNING 65 Project acronym: DUERO-DOURO Cross-border co-operation along a river valley Short summary Sociedad Estatal de Promocion y Equipamiento de Suelo (E): A Spanish state entity with responsibility in The project prepared an integrated strategy to develop the promotion and management of productive and resi- an international functional region along the Duero- dential land. Douro River Valley, extending from the Atlantic Coast in Northern Portugal to the Region of Castilla y León in MAPFRE (E): A Spanish foundation concerned with the Central Spain, thus opening up a large part of Spain and promotion of environmental considerations. Portugal and establishing co-operation. This crossborder project established a new type of direct co-operation The partnership was a joint initiative of the regions between Portugal and Spain, aiming at further co- Spain’s region Castilla y Leon and Portugal’s region norte operation. It aimed at a common vision for the region in co-operation with the joint municipal association, and its future planning and development. The project municipios riberenos del Duero, which acted as the lead addressed transport development, the hierarchy of agency and as a representative of both regions, both urban settlement, the management of natural and regions having responsibility for regional planning. Other cultural resources, commercial development, and partners in the form of foundations and government tourism and reviewed the institutional structures of the authorities joined to promote different interests, such as region. the development of cultural and natural resources and commerce. Technical information Total budget 1,813,019 Euro A number of participants joined as secondary partners. ERDF contribution 984,669 Euro These included associations and institutions directly Time frame 36 months responsible for management of river navigability, environment and the port area. The project also provided an umbrella for co-ordination of the LEADER action groups within the territory who entered into a formal co- International partnership operation. Municipios riberenos del Duero (E/P): An association of municipalities adjacent to the Duero river in Spain and Douro River in Portugal, which acted as a framework for interregional co-operation between the two countries. Castilla y Leon (E): A Spanish regional authority with statutory responsibility for regional planning. Included, as partners were representatives of the local LEADER action groups and the chambre of Commerce. Region Norte (P): A Portuguese regional authority with delegated responsibility for regional planning. Included as local partners were institutions and associations involved in management of the river including the institute for the navigability of the Douro, the national institute for water, and the regional directorate for the environment and the industrial ports association. Also included were representative from the local LEADER action groups. Fundacion Rei Henriques (E/P): A Portuguese/Spanish foundation concerned with cultural co-operation and promotion of development between Portugal and Spain. 66 ANNEX II The project enjoyed political support from the respective regions and was managed directly by technicians. Authorities each had responsibility for the development and delivery of particular actions. The local partners also had responsibility for specific actions in some cases while other local partners acted on a consultative and co- operative basis. Spatial characteristics of the regions involved DUERO-DOURO The area is a major cross-border river basin from the atlantic coast at Porto to central Spain with some 100km All actions of the project addressed directly these objec- of the river as part of the Spanish/Portuguese border tives. with a high landscape value. Actions analysed the institutional structure in the region The region is largely agricultural and considered periph- and sought ways to support development of a region eral and remote. It is sparsely populated except on the covering two countries. The institutions in the project atlantic coast and Porto, where land-use pressures have identified seven areas of action. These included trans- created environmental problems. Infrastructure away port, the settlement pattern, cultural resources, natural from the coast is underdeveloped and access to major resources, the commercial network, preparation of rec- centres often difficult. ommendations for future institutional co-operation and a programme of territorial action. Each area was studied The river is navigable from Porto to the Spanish border by a partner either directly or by a consultant supervised and has historically impacted substantially on the devel- by the responsible partner. Studies were undertaken and opment of the valley. Settlement patterns and cultural programmes developed for the future development of development reflect concentration on the river. the transport infrastructure, including water transport. Guides were prepared to promote cultural and natural General services are lacking, particularly away from the assets as well as for commercial development. A study coast. The River Valley as a whole was described by the was undertaken addressing the settlement pattern. partners as depressed, secularly ignored, lacking secular structure, environmentally fragile but with potential for Additional to this was the upgrading and integration of development of specialised agriculture, industry and two existing Geographic Information Systems. tourism, particularly rural tourism and the natural and cultural environment. The project had the important regional objective of strengthening transnational co-operation relation- An area of particular concern to the project was the ships and was aware of the need for a broad-based con- border area, The Arribes, where the river for 100 km acts sultation and to this end set up joint work groups. as the Spanish/Portuguese border. This is predominantly park area with a high landscape value but managed Another important objective pertained to the harmoni- under different terms by the respective responsible sation of the management of the Duero/Inter- authorities. Five hydroelectric dams have been built in national/Arribes Area. A study was undertaken to the border area. examine existing management of the area and to pre- pare recommendations for both the Portuguese and Spanish to harmonise legislation. Key objectives and activities The two principal and guiding objectives of the project An innovative process: were: building up local partnership and • to prepare an integrated strategy for the cohesive development of a Spanish/Portuguese functional citizen’s involvement region along the Duero-Douro River Valley. The project area of interest was very large with low pop- • to establish a framework for ongoing planning and ulation densities, except for the major settlements development of the River Valley. including Porto. Size and poor infrastructure made close co-operation and community consultation difficult. TERRA – AN EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY IN SPATIAL PLANNING 67 It was recognised that a viable vision and action pro- Promotion of navigation of the Duero-Douro was also an gramme would need broad-based support and consulta- output of the project. tion with the responsible regional and municipal entities and the institutions and association involved in the man- Other outputs included guides for promotion of natural, agement and development. The initial partners in the cultural and commercial assets. Other bodies within the funding application represented the municipal and valley to promote their specific area used the documents regional authorities. However not all municipalities and associated studies. belonged to the municipal association and consultation and recruitment continued throughout the project. Future plans While the original partners also represented interests in The municipal association will continue to provide a the cultural and natural environment, some with specific focus for co-ordination. Potentially municipal participa- competence were incorporated as the project pro- tion in the association will increase as actions become gressed. The LEADER actions groups were also formally visible. Many municipalities along the river are very small involved in the tourism workshop. and potentially unable to achieve development objec- tives in isolation. The plans, studies and particularly the The project also committed itself to gaining widespread action plan will provide a good base for funding deci- support by publication of regular newsletters. Seven fora sions and decision on the next stage projects. addressed subjects such as the Structural Funds, Agenda 2000, tourism, environment, heritage, local develop- ment and the navigability of the river. The press attended Assessment seminars and meetings and informed on developments. Political representatives were present at seminars and The project was an exemplary project. It was a large and meetings. ambitious project with a high potential for failure given the size and complexity of the territory covered. It was pragmatically and professionally managed to achieve Outputs results which will provide a very sound basis for ongoing planning and development of the region. The major output was to be a programme for territorial action by the partners. This document lists the actions The project worked towards broad based consultation and the responsible authorities for undertaking these