ABSTRACT
It is widely acknowledged that infrastructure plays a crucial role in achieving adequate territorial development, albeit not sufficient. In socioeconomically disadvantaged regions, investment in infrastructure improvement is often assumed by higher authorities, such as the European Union. Andalusia, a Spanish region located at Europe’s southernmost border, is situated near the African continent, separated only by the Strait of Gibraltar, a geostrategic passage of global significance. This border is arguably the most unequal in the world from multiple perspectives and is beset by migratory and geopolitical tensions. Given these realities, it is imperative to identify synergies for the most sustainable development possible on both shores, while mitigating the risk of eroding the region’s invaluable natural and cultural heritage through joint environmental protection initiatives (such as an Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve).
