Assessments of Edirne’s Past, Present and Future as a Border City

Abstract

For examining Edirne, a border city of strategically geographical and political importance, this three-part study takes up the city’s historical past and evaluates its future vision. The first part provides a historical perspective on the definition and function of the ‘border’ and ‘border city’ concepts according to different measures. The second part covers Edirne, which is located at the junction of the Western world and Eastern cultures and how its position as a border city from the decline of the Ottoman Empire to the present has impacted the city’s development. The third part encompasses Edirne’s ‘development vision and potential’ as a border city. From the 1980s onward, Edirne has begun to stand out with many positive features. The advantage of being a border city with European Union member countries has created the need to create new economic and socio-cultural strategies for the development of cross-border relations and cooperation. In the conclusion part, a general evaluation was made. It has been revealed that Edirne’s existing resources can be utilized in more effective and innovative ways and development opportunities can be created for the city’s future vision. In this context, the importance of the cross-border cooperation program was specified together with the neighboring country border city municipalities and suggestions for the future have been put forward. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.