• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.1 s.112
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• pp.22-38
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• 2006

This paper is to explore the cross-border interactions and the formation of trans-boundary regional identity in the Swiss-German-French border region. It begins with a brief review of recent studies on 'boundary and border region', in order to gain a insight into the theoretical debates on this theme and to find out ideal types of the cross-border co-operations. And then it deals with the everyday cross-border movements(working, shopping, living) in 'Regio TriRhena', discussing the development of the trans-boundary co-operations in the EuroRegion 'Upper Rhine'. There are several committees to be defined in trans-boundary co-operation on the 'Upper Rhine', with different scopes of action, structured collectively like Russian dolls(Babushka principle). The economic differences between 3 countries trigger massive cross-border movements. This paper attempts to organize these cross-border interactions around Ullman's 3 bases for spatial interaction(complementarity, transferability, intervening opportunity). In conclusion, this paper shows that the elimination of economic obstacles does not suffice to create trans-boundary identity or a trans-border common regional spirit.