Cross border residence (CB-RES) - Identity experience and integration processes in the Greater Region

Abstract

Cross-border residential mobility appeared in the wake of the formal opening of European borders and is mainly brought about by national disparities in the real estate market in border regions. In the last 10 to 15 years we observe considerable residential flows from Luxembourg to its neighbouring countries which bring about major changes in the spatial and social composition of border towns. The research project CB-RES investigates the experiences and identity constructions of cross-border migrants as well as of autochthonous inhabitants in German border villages.

Questions and topics

CB-RES was conducted in four case study villages that were significantly different with regard to village size, infrastructure and border distance. More than 20% of their inhabitants are today of Luxembourgish nationality. There is also a considerable international influx that turned small rural communities into cosmopolitan localities. Empirical research, consisting in participant observation and narrative interviews with old and new inhabitants, was mainly focussed on the understanding of everyday practices and experiences. Questions were, i.a.: Does the residential move across a national border impact on dwelling practices, social relations and feelings of national belonging? How do the local populations cope with rapid village growth and the ensuing material and socio-cultural changes?

Our findings show that, although not intended as migration, cross border residential mobility initiates in many cases a process of gradually acknowledging and claiming to belong to a new place that, unexpectedly,  shows itself to be positively different in crucial respects. Furthermore, these residential moves represent a particular kind of migration in that they do not simply lead from one country into another, but from a country into another entity – from nation into region.

Research results bring to light the importance of memories and accompanying feelings of shame and guilt for the process of migration and place making. They thus reveal the necessity of studying cross border residential moves as being related to a complex moral economy of social belonging.

The study also reveals that it is important to analyse the different but intersecting modes of apprehending diversity and unfamiliarity that affect processes of local integration. The massive influx of new residents from across the border promotes on the one hand tendencies to homogenize diversity and on the other general notions of plurality, Europeanness and local particularism.

Key Moments

• In 2014, CB-RES organised the international colloquium “Living in European Borderlands” at the University of Luxembourg; workshop proceedings appeared in Routledge Border Regions Series.
• Research results have been published in contributions to edited volumes and scientific journals covering various disciplinary domains, e.g. in Jahrbuch für Geschichte des ländlichen Raumes, Human Studies, Europa Regional.
• Results have also been presented at numerous scientific conferences in Luxembourg and abroad.

Website here

Contact
Elisabeth Boesen, University of Luxembourg