Quand les opportunités se transforment en trappe de développement : des injustices spatiales à la frontière franco-luxembourgeoise

The notions of "left-behind region" and "development trap" highlight the structural, significant and persistent challenges that explain why certain regions are struggling to regain their dynamism. Used at the EUropean or national level, these notions have not specifically explored the cross-border context. Borrowing the smooth/striated duality from Deleuze and Guattari, we outline the interlocking nature of EUropean territoriality, before conceptualising the friction between smooth and striated territorialities and the impossibility for actors to cope with the resulting disparities as expressions of spatial injustice. Based on 52 semi-structured interviews conducted in the Alzette Belval EGTC area (on the Franco-Luxembourg border), we explain why the institutional responses mobilised to deal with the lack of public services remain unsuccessful, exposing local users and public players to situations of unequal access to rights, opportunities or resources. We conclude with suggestions for future research.