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The impacts of the covidfencing phenomenon in three European cross border regions

Pugh, Rhiannon LU orcid ; Öberg, Marja-Liisa LU orcid ; Thadde Van Rems, Tjores ; Shi, Jia ; Beylier, Pierre-Alexandre ; Evrard, Estelle ; Pigeron Piroth, Isabelle and Pocek, Jasna (2026) In European Planning Studies p.1-20
Abstract
This article adopts a temporal and multi-level perspective on the
phenomenon of covidfencing, which emerged during the COVID-
19 pandemic of the early 2020s and led to widespread ‘re-
bordering’ across European cross-border regions. It explores how
different regions experienced covidfencing and analyzes the
processes that produced divergent outcomes, considering
developments at regional, national, and European levels. By
assessing the situation several years after the initial crisis, the article
examines the persistence of changes to the constitutionalization
and everyday functioning of cross-border regions. Drawing on
qualitative research in the Geneva Basin, Greater Saar-Lor-Lux, and
Öresund... (More)
This article adopts a temporal and multi-level perspective on the
phenomenon of covidfencing, which emerged during the COVID-
19 pandemic of the early 2020s and led to widespread ‘re-
bordering’ across European cross-border regions. It explores how
different regions experienced covidfencing and analyzes the
processes that produced divergent outcomes, considering
developments at regional, national, and European levels. By
assessing the situation several years after the initial crisis, the article
examines the persistence of changes to the constitutionalization
and everyday functioning of cross-border regions. Drawing on
qualitative research in the Geneva Basin, Greater Saar-Lor-Lux, and
Öresund regions, it identifies tangible reforms in taxation, social
security, and remote work frameworks that have reshaped cross-
border mobility and governance. The article also looks ahead to
evaluate what institutional changes have been made to improve
crisis preparedness and which lessons from the covidfencing
period remain unaddressed. In doing so, it contributes to current
debates on regional governance resilience, offering insights into
how the experiences of the early 2020s have influenced the
evolving role and structure of cross-border regions in Europe today. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
EU law, EU-rätt
in
European Planning Studies
pages
20 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:105037835830
ISSN
1469-5944
DOI
10.1080/09654313.2026.2655883
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
96af2a08-c731-47b4-9d56-c227aef289e5
date added to LUP
2026-05-04 20:33:52
date last changed
2026-06-08 04:01:15
@article{96af2a08-c731-47b4-9d56-c227aef289e5,
  abstract     = {{This article adopts a temporal and multi-level perspective on the<br/>phenomenon of covidfencing, which emerged during the COVID-<br/>19 pandemic of the early 2020s and led to widespread ‘re-<br/>bordering’ across European cross-border regions. It explores how<br/>different regions experienced covidfencing and analyzes the<br/>processes that produced divergent outcomes, considering<br/>developments at regional, national, and European levels. By<br/>assessing the situation several years after the initial crisis, the article<br/>examines the persistence of changes to the constitutionalization<br/>and everyday functioning of cross-border regions. Drawing on<br/>qualitative research in the Geneva Basin, Greater Saar-Lor-Lux, and<br/>Öresund regions, it identifies tangible reforms in taxation, social<br/>security, and remote work frameworks that have reshaped cross-<br/>border mobility and governance. The article also looks ahead to<br/>evaluate what institutional changes have been made to improve<br/>crisis preparedness and which lessons from the covidfencing<br/>period remain unaddressed. In doing so, it contributes to current<br/>debates on regional governance resilience, offering insights into<br/>how the experiences of the early 2020s have influenced the<br/>evolving role and structure of cross-border regions in Europe today.}},
  author       = {{Pugh, Rhiannon and Öberg, Marja-Liisa and Thadde Van Rems, Tjores and Shi, Jia and Beylier, Pierre-Alexandre and Evrard, Estelle and Pigeron Piroth, Isabelle and Pocek, Jasna}},
  issn         = {{1469-5944}},
  keywords     = {{EU law; EU-rätt}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--20}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{European Planning Studies}},
  title        = {{The impacts of the covidfencing phenomenon in three European cross border regions}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2026.2655883}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/09654313.2026.2655883}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}