Network Planning Versus Corridor Implementation in the Western Balkans Region

Abstract

The focus of the paper is on the problem of missing links in a European vital area, such as the Western Balkans. The paper presents the poor transport infrastructure of today in the region of the Western Balkans, and describes the up to date solutions as they have been proposed by the European Union. The paper compares the two main approaches of providing better transport in a region, namely the Corridor approach and the Network approach and makes suggestions for the future.

Improving connectivity within the Western Balkans, as well as between the Western Balkans and the European Union, is a key factor for growth and jobs and will bring clear benefits for the region’s economies and citizens.

The signing of the Transport Community Treaty in 2017 encourages better planning of transport investments in the region of the Western Balkans.

Today, EU transport policy includes strategies to realize the internal market, and further develop a trans-European network together with major transport corridors aiming at a better connected Europe.

There are many reasons to differentiate a network strategy from a corridor strategy. Expected economic impacts have a concrete role in the process.

The realization of transport infrastructure - especially in the region of the Western Balkans where there is a significant delay in investments on transport- is based on the existence of proper financing.

For the region of the Western balkans, a main conclusion drawn is that an appropriate strategy for the economy and the soceties would be the promotion of projects for the development of a complete network, together with the development of transport corridors.