The Danube Region as a Macro-Development Region

Abstract

The macro regional alliance of countries and areas swept by the Danube is a new direction in European Union regional policy. Its development concept is under preparation which wants to determinate the common development issues in each countries and the whole area. It is an especial historical situation that the majority of countries swept by the Danube and its catchment area belong to the same common political union, to European Union.
The study aims to summarize the concepts on Danube area (political schemes, spatial issues of development plans) considering to the differences of concerned (existing today and existed earlier) countries’ views. Its political importance is that a common Danube strategy should based on consensus since the determination of Danube area concerns historical issues and geopolitical concepts as well. But the too general delimitation is in danger of our area will not separate from other European macro regional/transnational concepts such as Central Europe, Southeast Europe. That is why it is important to determinate a common internal features.
Beside the examination of external borders it is necessary to analyze the internal structure of the area too. It must be aware in what case it is about common Danube area and when it is needed to handle separate its certain regions and similar problem areas. We have to analyse the internal differences of the level of social-economic development in the Danube area. We presume, this region will be one of the most problematic regions (among the planned macroregions), due to the large regional disparities.
In the basis of these observations the study aims to present alternatives what means Danube area as planning macro region, what ensures and dangers the internal cohesion of a spatial unit. In what kind of relation has got the forming and developing macro region with other macro regions, historical and geopolitical spatial categories. Exact determination of all spatial concepts, their sensitive describe could contribute to strengthen the cohesion of countries in Danube area by the preparing plan.