Rhine-Alpine Talk #18 Enhanced Planning and Governance for the North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean Corridor

The Rhine-Alpine Corridor is a critical artery for European logistics, connecting major ports and industrial centres from Rotterdam to Genoa and serves as a lifeline for nearly 20% of the EU’s population. With the recent merging of the Rhine-Alpine and North Sea-Mediterranean Corridors into the North Sea – Rhine – Mediterranean Corridor (NSRM) under the revised TEN-T Regulation, stakeholders face both new opportunities and complex challenges in cross-border cooperation, data-driven planning, and multimodal integration.

This Rhine-Alpine Talk will give an overview on the PREPARED Targeted Analysis – a project designed to provide an evidence-based foundation for spatial and governance strategies along the corridor. The session will feature:

An introduction by ESPON, highlighting its mission to support evidence-based territorial development and outlining current funding opportunities for regions, cities, and corridor stakeholders.

The approach of the Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC towards the key challenges, governance and the promotion of territorial cooperation in the pursuit of a cohesive, resilient, and sustainable transport network in the newly created NSRM Corridor.

A presentation of the PREPARED Targeted Analysis. This includes methodology, expected outputs as scenario reports & interactive maps, and governance recommendations, as well as the participatory stakeholder engagement plan.

Following these presentations, the event will open the floor for an interactive discussion, including feedback and questions. Key discussion topics will include infrastructure gaps, cross-border interoperability, and strategies for harmonized spatial planning and effective governance.

You can register for the Talk by clicking here.

Date: 06.06.2025
Time: 11:00–12:30 CEST
Format: Online (Zoom)

Freight transport, logistics and spatial development: planning action required

A new position paper from the ARL presents conceptual, methodological, and governance-related approaches and proposals for legislative changes to address these conflicts.

Freight transport and logistics significantly impact space but are often overlooked in municipal and regional planning. Integrated transport and location planning can help support sustainable supply and disposal for the population and economy, with stable supply chains in cities and regions. The growing space requirements of logistics, driven by lean manufacturing, centralised distribution, online retail, and unstable global supply chains, are inconsistent with housing, open space development, and land conservation goals.

Logistics properties are currently the largest commercial land users, and social acceptance of the burdens and land use caused by transport and logistics is declining. The trend towards settlements in suboptimal locations can lead to higher logistics costs and difficulties for employees without cars due to poor public transportation connections. Spatial planning is called upon to steer this development.

The full position paper (in German) can be downloaded on the ARL website by clicking  here

Position paper towards Mobility of Eurodistrict PAMINA

Picture of the Mobility Conference 13th of March by Eurodistrict PAMINA

The PAMINA Mobility Conference, which took place on 13 March 2025 in Landau, emphasised the urgency and necessity of sustainable, connected and innovative mobility in the PAMINA Eurodistrict.

Representatives from politics, business and society came together to discuss current challenges and future opportunities in the field of mobility. The aim of the conference was to gain an overview of mobility in the PAMINA Eurodistrict in order to develop a common vision for improving cross-border mobility and to initiate the necessary transformation. The discussions particularly emphasised the need for investment in environmentally friendly and technologically advanced transport structures.

The position paper can be downloaded in German and French below.