cover image The New Superregions of Europe

The New Superregions of Europe

Darrell Delamaide. Dutton Books, $23.95 (336pp) ISBN 978-0-525-93651-0

Instead of a reunited Europe, the continent seems more fractious than ever, yet Delamaide ( Debt Shock ) finds cause for optimism in newly emerging ``superregions,'' spanning national borders, which provide vehicles for political cooperation and economic development. Formerly European bureau chief for Institutional Investor and now based in Berlin as bureau chief for Bloomberg Business News , Delamaide identifies eight superregions. One of them, Mitteleuropa--centered in Germany but including northern and central France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and western Poland--will play a pivotal role in Europe's economy, he predicts. Another, the Latin Crescent, linking Spain to southern France and most of Italy, is undergoing an economic and cultural renaissance, in his sanguine view. Although Delamaide isn't always convincing, his upbeat report is peppered with examples of cities and regions networking to solve common problems, pool resources and create jobs. (Mar.)