ABSTRACT
The need to assess the role of municipalities in trans-national partnerships to enhance spatial development cannot be over emphasised. The impact of trans-border spatial development cooperation with respect to a twinning agreement signed in 2004 between two adjacent local municipalities from South Africa and Zimbabwe is evaluated. A trans-border twinning agreement performance impact survey method was used to explore the implementation of the twinning agreement using concepts of trans-border twinning agreements. The aim of the research is to assess the degree to which the implementation of the agreement was effective and efficient and whether it achieved the targets, adhered to the terms of reference and took into account spatial development challenges of the local residents. The study used key informant interviews, questionnaires and direct field observations to determine the impact of the implementation of the concept on the residents of the two border municipalities. The results of the study show that the challenges of municipal twinning agreements are institutional, structural and financial. The study concludes that a trans-border implementation framework guide is required to address institutional arrangements, challenges, financial concerns, stakeholder participation and harmonisation of transnational border spatial planning for development purposes. The framework variables would also apply in similar municipalities.
