Three cities, one future

“Three cities - one future” - according to this motto, the neighbouring cities of Basel (CH), Weil am Rhein (D), Huningue and Saint-Louis (F) have been working on the common goal of developing a cross-border urban district in the 3Land project since 2011. The cities have recognised the importance and the unique opportunity of developing the cross-border area in a coordinated manner. Covering almost 600 ha, this contiguous urban area, with its mix of industrial sites, public spaces, and residential developments, offers significant transformation potential for new housing, jobs, public and green spaces.

With this in mind, the 3Land partners aim to update the Spatial Concept conceived 10 years ago, adapting it to current and future challenges. The objective is to ensure that urban development in the area continues in a coherent and forward-thinking manner, reflecting the evolving needs of all stakeholders.

Setting the Framework for a Renewed Urban Vision

On February 25, 2025, the Trinational Eurodistrict Basel, as the project lead, organized a workshop in Basel to initiate the update of the Spatial Concept. This event brought together around 20 participants, representing all project partners: TEB, the Basel-Stadt Canton, the City of Weil am Rhein, the City of Huningue, the City of Saint-Louis, the Saint-Louis Agglomeration, Collectivité européenne d’Alsace and the Landkreis Lörrach.

The workshop served as a platform to define and set common expectations for the project, discuss the action plan, and explore how the updated Spatial Concept can be effectively implemented. The fruitful discussions among the represented administrations demonstrated the strength of cross-border cooperation and the commitment to shaping a shared vision for the area. 

European Support for the Trinational Urban Development

The update of the 3Land Spatial Concept is supported by the Resilient Borders program, co-funded by the European Union, managed by the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT). It emphasizes the significance of European cooperation in cross-border urban planning. The first phase of the update will focus on producing a comprehensive status report, assessing developments since the original concept, and identifying key adjustments needed to align with contemporary urban and environmental challenges.

The 3Land project exemplifies how European funding and institutional collaboration can bridge national borders, fostering knowledge exchange and best practices. The experiences and findings from this initiative might serve as an inspiration for other cross-border regions across Europe. 

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) or of the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT).”

More information on the 3Land project: https://3-land.net/en/