[en] This paper examines structural and identity changes in the so-called “Macro-region”, which comprises a European cross-border region of cooperation in the South-West of Germany. This macro-region is a cross-border, European area of cooperation where four countries meet: Germany – France – Luxemburg – Belgium. Its core area was dominated in the past by coal mining, as well as the iron and steel industry. However, the coal and steel crises in the 1950s and 1970s caused the disappearance of important key sectors of industry. The development or increase in cross-border movements of labour were linked to the dramatic economic changes in the region. Cross-border commuting was directed more and more towards Luxemburg. As a result the Grand Duchy has – after Switzerland - the most cross-border commuters in the EU. There has as yet been no investigation in Luxemburg of what effect their large presence, representing 44% of the workforce, has on identity creation. This paper provides first indications of a renaissance of national identity structures in the context of cross-border commuting in the Grand Duchy.
Disciplines :
Anthropology Arts & humanities: Multidisciplinary, general & others Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others Regional & inter-regional studies Sociology & social sciences Human geography & demography
Identifiers :
UNILU:UL-ARTICLE-2011-331
Author, co-author :
Wille, Christian ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Identités, Politiques, Sociétés, Espaces (IPSE)
Helfer, Malte ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Identités, Politiques, Sociétés, Espaces (IPSE)
Language :
German
Title :
Wirtschaftliche Transformationsprozesse und sozio-kulturelle Implikationen in der Großregion