Transnationale und grenzenlose Europastadt Görlitz/Zgorzelec?

Abstract

Transnational links emerge as a logical consequence of the processes determined by globalization and Europeanization. The result of these processes is a diminishing importance of state borders. In this context Görlitz/Zgorzelec represents an interesting case. In the year 1998 the municipal authorities of this German-Polish twin city made use of its distinctive location by proclaiming the special name ‘European city/ Europe-city’ (Europastadt) in order to attract attention of the public opinion. This article is based on the case study conducted on the both sides of the state border crossing the city and it aims at exploration of the transnational space of this ‘European city’, where the formal state border actually does not have a dividing function anymore. The research goal was to reconstruct the city dwellers’ everyday life practices and patterns of movement by placing these phenomena within the city’s developmental path and the changing function of the state border.