Articles

The future of provision for elementary requirements in the Alpine region: challenges - opportunities - examples of successes
The future of provision for elementary requirements in the Alpine region: challenges - opportunities - examples of successes
The fourth workshop in the international series of workshops "Disseminating Knowledge - Networking People" was held in Warmbad-Villach (A) on February 28 and May 1.
The forestry sector in regional policy
Around 50 experts, mostly from the forestry sector, took part in the two-day workshop on regional policy held in Brig/CH on 29 and 30 March. The event, which was held in French and German as part of the series of workshops entitled "Getting Knowledge Across - Networking People", was attended by participants from France, Germany and Switzerland.
Budoia: Lots of interest in (and enthusiasm for) the organic canteen
Budoia: Lots of interest in (and enthusiasm for) the organic canteen
In spite of the difficulties Budoia is pushing ahead with the school canteen project, driven by the enthusiasm of parents, teachers and children. Thanks to the prize money from the Future in the Alps competition it has been possible to continue promoting the Project among the families and maintaining the education on nutrition among the schoolchildren.
DYNALP²: Visions and actions to ensure young people remain in their mountain communities
The DYNALP² workshop series is now underway in Slovenia. In Bovec the first workshop on 30 and 31 March dealt with solutions on how to prevent youth exodus. At first glance it might seem as if this issue affects only certain Alpine valleys, but the answers put forward can be of interest in many ways to politicians and regional players in the communities.
From idea to implementation: the NENA workshop series
From idea to implementation: the NENA workshop series
As part of the Interreg IIIB Project NENA ( www.nena-network.net ) CIPRA International is organising a series of workshops to bring together businesses and their relevant umbrella organisations.
New look for www.cipra.org/future
The Future in the Alps website was given a makeover in the spring and has been incorporated into the CIPRA portal. This means that the information on Future in the Alps is now more user-friendly and more easily accessible. The site is regularly updated with news and events.
European Parliament approves new flood directive
European Parliament approves new flood directive
With the new directive on flood protection the EU has agreed on the assessment and prevention of flood risks.
Launch of the new programme phase of the European Alpine Space co-operation project
Launch of the new programme phase of the European Alpine Space co-operation project
The transnational programme conference "Alpine Space Heading for Excellence" is to be held in St. Johann im Pongau/A on 28 and 29 June.
Centre for high-altitude medicine in Lausanne
A new medical consultation centre for high-altitude medicine is to be set up at the University Hospital Lausanne/CH.
International trade fair and conference on renewable energies in Aosta
The trade fair and conference entitled "Rigenergia: Renewable energies and energy-saving in architecture and construction in the mountains" is being held in Aosta from 7 to 9 June.
Initiative for mountain enthusiasts with disabilities
This summer the French Vanoise National Park is offering special programmes for visitors with physical disabilities.
Using biological GIS databases to gain a better understanding of mountain biodiversity
Linking biological databases with geophysical data (such as precise co-ordinates, altitudes, temperature) provides a good basis for obtaining more accurate analyses of biodiversity in mountain areas.
From winter to all-year tourism
From winter to all-year tourism
The French département of Savoie aims to promote all-year tourism with its 2007-2013 Tourism Plan.
New publication series on the Alpine region
New publication series on the Alpine region
The "Alpine Space - Man and the Environment" research platform established by the Leopold-Franzens University in Innsbruck/A is publishing a new series of publications by the same name.
CIPRA submits Memorandum on Future in the Alps
CIPRA submits Memorandum on Future in the Alps
In a Memorandum, CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, formulates political demands for the future development of the Alpine region as a whole. The demands are the result of the Future in the Alps Project.
Alpine transit under EU observation
Alpine transit under EU observation
The new EU observatory for traffic in the Alpine region became operational in mid-March. It has been set up to monitor road, rail and combined traffic in the Alpine region.
On the right track - for and with hikers
On the right track - for and with hikers
An international joint venture of eight hiking regions grouped under the heading of Best of Wandern has come up with some innovative ideas for boosting visitor figures and strengthening visitor loyalty.
Implementing knowledge - making the most of local potential: "Green" jobs and solar-heated mountain refuges
Implementing knowledge - making the most of local potential: "Green" jobs and solar-heated mountain refuges
Incorporating sustainability objectives into political programmes is not enough to achieve a sustainable development in the Alpine region. As many of those affected by the policies as possible must take part, particularly at the local level. Sustainable projects always have the best opportunities wherever local or regional organisations make the most of the scope they have under policy instruments.
Referendum in the Puster Valley and restoration of a protection forest in Hinterstein - We'll have our say! The people living in the Alps are no longer prepared to look on; they want to be involved.
Referendum in the Puster Valley and restoration of a protection forest in Hinterstein - We'll have our say! The people living in the Alps are no longer prepared to look on; they want to be involved.
In recent years co-operative planning processes have gained in importance as a result of targets set by the EU or national governments. Participation in the sense of greater co-determination and co-decision is also being called for at grassroots level, by citizens, land owners and pressure groups.
From the Dorfmobil Klaus project to the reawakened Merano-Mals railway - "Soft mobility" helps to promote tourism in remote areas
From the Dorfmobil Klaus project to the reawakened Merano-Mals railway - "Soft mobility" helps to promote tourism in remote areas
The major problems caused by transit traffic through the Alps dominate the media. And yet it is all too often forgotten that more than two thirds of traffic in the Alps is home-made. So what are the alternatives? This was one of the key questions put to our team of experts.
Biological diversity as an investment - Protected areas give the Alps a good image and help man and nature
Biological diversity as an investment - Protected areas give the Alps a good image and help man and nature
Given good management, protected areas can contribute both to regional value-added and the preservation of biodiversity. Environmentally friendly holiday accommodation with a recognised seal of approval like the Gîtes Panda in the French Alps enhances the quality of life in and around protected areas.
Cyberspace on alpine pastures, cultural festivals and exchange marts - Education projects and cultural centres promote cohesion
Cyberspace on alpine pastures, cultural festivals and exchange marts - Education projects and cultural centres promote cohesion
The state is stepping back and social structures are weakening: Citizens must take their affairs into their own hands and organise themselves to bring about decisions locally.
From timber construction to hay wraps - Besides natural resources people's skills and commitment are the Alps' real wealth
From timber construction to hay wraps - Besides natural resources people's skills and commitment are the Alps' real wealth
Deploring the exodus of the population and the proliferation of tourism, and doing nothing about it, is one approach; the other, far more constructive solution is to show how money can be earned, and secure jobs created, using the resources available locally.
Extracting Stores of Knowledge
Extracting Stores of Knowledge
The future belongs to those who help to shape it. And in the Alps countless initiatives involving thousands of activists are working to do just that. Yet most of them are unaware of the fact that elsewhere other people are working away on exactly the same problems as they are. This is precisely where the Future in the Alps Project launched by CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, comes into play. It is all about collating practical experience throughout the Alps, classifying it and making it available to those who need it.
New publication on Alpine Towns
New publication on Alpine Towns
In 2005 CIPRA, the International Commission on the Protection of the Alps, organised a large conference on Alpine Towns and has now published the collected findings in a conference book.
Unconventional co-operation in Switzerland's mountain regions
The Swiss Working Group on Mountain Regions has struck up a co-operation venture with eBay International AG, the world's largest internet auction house. Private individuals as well as small and medium-sized businesses are to be trained in buying and selling products and services via eBay.
Indoor ski venues closing in on the Alps
Indoor ski venues closing in on the Alps
It's not just in the desert state of Dubai that indoor ski runs are proving increasingly popular, but also in Europe. No snow means no revenue, and the mild weather is giving Europe's ski resorts a serious headache, one which the ski industry is hoping to relieve with artificial snow and indoor venues, regardless of global warming issues.
Plans for a ski resort in the Natura 2000 region of northern Spain
According to plans by the regional government of Castile-León a new winter sports resort with ski-lift capacities for 32,000 visitors an hour is to be built in the northern Spanish provinces of Cantabria, Leon and Palencia.
Ski runs a hazard for bird communities
Ski runs a hazard for bird communities
According to a report compiled by ecologists at the University of Turin/I in the Journal of Applied Ecology, high-altitude alpine ski runs are posing a serious threat to bird communities.
Mountain areas as menageries
Mountain areas as menageries
The latest issue of the Journal of Alpine Research (fr/en) features "mountain areas as menageries". Indeed the decline in biodiversity is a major ecological problem.