Dwelling trends in border regions – Towards an inter-urban discourse analysis

This article examines the discursive framing of the consequences of the transnational links between the property markets in the Greater Region. To do so, it is structured in 7 parts.

The first part is an introduction on population mobility in the cross-border regions. Over the last few years, in the European Union, there has been a significant increase in transnational links (pluri-local and transnational social relations, networks and practices). This increase has an effect on the economic structure and development of the cross-border regions. However, these developments differ according to the different regulations applicable in each region and they are also perceived differently by different stakeholders (municipal authority, developers or the local population).

Part 2 is a presentation of the area studied: the Greater Region. The economic development of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg demands a constant expansion of the labour market, drawing in cross-border worker and a "highly mobile elite". The country offers many jobs, but is faced with a saturated property market. Many workers therefore set up home in the neighbouring countries where property prices are more affordable.

In Part 3, the theoretical and conceptual framework, based on mobility research and housing studies, is explained. In the case in point, national borders are transcended either for work (in the form of daily shuttling), or for residential mobility (in the form of a move within the Nation State or from one Migration State to another). As far as the property market is concerned, the article presents the main players and explains that the property market is not a pure and perfect market.

The methodology used to study the discourse is defined in Part 4. Situational assessment is used to show that similar effects can be perceived very differently and that positions can vary according to situations. To do this, the guiding principles of municipal policy, urban planning documents and local media are analysed. In addition, interviews are conducted with stakeholders to gather more in-depth information.

A proposal for the design of the research is explained in Part 5.  Depending on the level of analysis, the empirical orientations and the materials used, an empirical approach is proposed.  Similar effects can therefore be perceived very differently by municipal councillors or urban planners and the local population and even within the same social sphere/arena. There is a love-hate relationship between Luxembourg and the players in Trier.

Finally the article ends with a discussion on the importance of using discourse analysis and comparing to quantitative methodologies.