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The Alps' longest railway tunnel

Last weekend saw the official inauguration ceremony of the Lötschberg base tunnel in Switzerland after a construction period of eight years. At 34.6 km it is the third longest railway tunnel in the world. The new link between the Bernese Oberland and the Valais drastically reduces the journey time.

Workshop series "Getting Knowledge Across - Networking People": Documentation online

CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, has made available for download the documentation on four workshops of its Future in the Alps Project.

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Scientific Workshop on Mountain Mobility and Transport SWOMM 2005-2006

Cervino international mountain film festival

The 10th edition of the Breuil-Cervinia/Valtournenche international mountain film festival is to be held in Italy's Aosta Valley from 25 to 29 July. The film festival, which is now being held again under its original name Cervino Cinemountain, is Europe's highest, given that it takes place at 2000 m above sea level. The 40 films featured at the festival cover the entire spectrum of topics from the environment to sports, culture and history.

Pyrenean ski resort to be revived

The Municipality of Vielha in the Spanish Pyrenees has given the go-ahead for the construction of more than 500 apartments and 1,700 parking spaces in the ski resort of La Tuca. The resort was forced to shut down in 1989 as the lack of snow meant it was no longer viable. But now the ski resort is to be brought back to life with the new project.

New publication on freight traffic transiting through the Alpine region

(6.6.2007) A new book entitled "SWOMM - Scientific Workshop on Mountain Mobility and Transport" published as part of the Interreg IIIB project AlpFRail summarises the results of the international workshops SWOMM 2005 and SWOMM 2006.

The Alps ideal for generating solar power

According to a study by the EU research laboratory for the environment in Ispra/I the profitability ratings for solar power installations in Alpine regions are similar to those of solar installations in southernmost Spain. Solar irradiance in the hills and mountains of Austria for example reaches an intensity of up to 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square metre.

Is sustainability marketable in the winter-sports industry?

The aim of the SkiSustain research project is to help create efficient and sustainable business models for ski resorts in the face of climate change and socio-economic changes. Its researchers are looking at ways of developing sustainability as a marketable product and as unique selling propositions for skiing destinations. One product under consideration is a customer-oriented benchmarking which would serve as a guide to snow-sports enthusiasts when selecting the ski resorts of their choice.

Car-free holidays - information and offers

(24.5.2007) The homepage of the "Alpine Pearls", i.e. 21 tourist resorts in the Alps fully committed to the idea of soft mobility, is offering a new service.

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

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

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

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

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.

Transport and environment: on the way to a new common transport policy

A changing world

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.