This document, published in 2007, is one of the results of the PolyMetrexplus project, which was an EU funded project promoted by METREX.
The PolyMETREXplus project aims to realise the objective of Interreg IIIC, to improve the effectiveness of policies and instruments for regional development and cohesion, by contributing to the Territorial Agenda sought by the European Convention and the balanced and sustainable development of Europe sought by the ESDP. In effect, the PolyMetrex project has contributed to the effective polycentric city-region relationships and a better understanding of European Territorial balance.
The outcomes and output of the PolyMETREXplus has been formalised into RINAS – Representative Interregional Networking Activities. The Core objective has been to support Interreg IIIC ”to improve the effectiveness of policies and instruments for regional development and cohesion” by producing a Framework for a Polycentric Metropolitan Europe, a related Action Plan and a Polycentric Practice Benchmark derived from a programme of RINAS.
The Gulf of Finland RINA focuses on creating key policy options and instruments to guide the participating city-regions of Helsinki, St.Petersburg and Tallinn towards better cooperation and in doing so, develops a spatial vision for the Gulf of Finland development triangle. The key policy options are directly linked to the relationship with the EU Pentagon Global Integration Zone.
The main thrust of the RINA is to create a unified polycentric set of city-regions with high-speed train connectivity between Helsinki and St.Petersburg. The setting out of a broad strategic Vision within which city-regions can consider the possibility of forming polycentric relationships will help foster their collective economic and social strengths and address common environmental issues. Additionally, agreement enabled an Action Plan, entitled ‘Joint Statement of Intent’ to deliver the necessary proposals to ensure the key policy options are implemented.
In doing so, it is intended that these conclusions will highlight the effectiveness of having a Polycentric Benchmark of instruments that can be drawn together as a direct input from the collective views of city-regions to the future well-being of Europe spatially.
