On Wednesday, March 26th, a research seminar titled “Re-mapping Borderlands Between Critical and Operational Approaches” will be held at the Politecnico di Milano. The seminar will present the results of field research from three case studies: the Italy-Slovenia, Italy-Austria, and Italy-France borders. The event is also available online via the following link.

The study, conducted at Politecnico di Milano in collaboration with the Free University of Bolzano and the National Research Council, analyzed three different border areas, including the Italy-Slovenia border region of Gorizia-Nova Gorica-Šempeter-Vrtojba, to understand the impact of recent crises on cross-border communities. The GECT GO participated in interviews and fieldwork related to our geographical area.

The results of the study, available in this report, highlight the complex relationship between cooperation and division in the Italy-Slovenia cross-border context, emphasizing that integration policies are key to fostering resilient and inclusive development.

The area offers significant opportunities for development due to its strategic location and quality of life. However, what seems to still slow down cross-border cooperation is the perception of the border, which, in some respects, still constitutes a cultural and institutional barrier.

In this context, the GECT GO has played a central role in overcoming these obstacles and promoting joint initiatives between Gorizia, Nova Gorica, and Šempeter-Vrtojba, especially by leveraging important cultural and tourism revitalization tools like cross-border projects.

Another significant opportunity for this border area is represented by the event GO! 2025 European Capital of Culture, which presents a challenge to strengthen integration between the two cities by implementing long-term strategies that can draw on the historical memory of the border as a key role in overcoming national divisions.

Further insights will be developed by international experts within the research seminar on March 26th, 2025. For more information, please visit: https://www.italianborderscapes.polimi.it/research-seminar-mapping-borderlands-between-critical-operative-approaches/