Articles
Rethinking spaces
A picnic at a construction site, the rescue of undeveloped land and the conversion of an old barracks: three examples that rethink spatial planning in the Alps.
“There's no other way”
As a minister, 55-year-old Slovenian Alenka Smerkolj has already drawn up a strategy for Slovenia's sustainable development. As Secretary General of the Alpine Convention, she now intends to continue along this path.
Sectorial Development of Green Economy in the Alpine Region
The final document on the Green Economy Action Programme has been adopted by the alpine ministers at the XV. Alpine conference in Innsbruck on the 4th of April 2019. The Action Programme was elaborated by the consortium blue!, CIPRA International and Spatial Foresight.
Point of view: So the landscape has a future
The guardians of the landscape are the people who live there. They must be involved in the decision-making and development processes, says Špela Berlot, Managing Director of CIPRA Slovenia.
Holidaying with a clear conscience
From Germany’s first mountaineering village, to the Italian “Albergo Diffuso”, to coworking space in a Swiss holiday region: three inspiring examples that show how environmentally friendly and socially responsible holidays in the Alps can be.
For visitors and for locals
What is a good life in the Alps? How can tourism be reshaped? CIPRA International has dedicated its 2018 Annual Report to both local residents and visitors to the Alps and, under the motto “Visitors and residents”, has illustrated how tourism and quality of life can be compatible.
Point of view: Europe and its Alps
The fundamental question facing the direct elections to the European Parliament in May 2019 is: hat is the outlook – in Europe and in the Alps – for democracy and “good governance”? Erwin Rothgang, Vice-President of CIPRA International, argues for new forms of co-operation.
Creative use of vacancies
In order to revive vacant areas and buildings, four Alpine towns have joined forces in the "Tour des Villes" project. Mutual and cross-border exchange of knowledge and ideas were in the foreground during the duration of the project.
Networking sustainable tourism
At the suggestion of CIPRA, international specialists from every Alpine country have developed a job profile aimed at networking sustainable tourism approaches.
The future of the Alps begins now
What will the Alps of tomorrow look like? This question and political demands for the XV Alpine Conference lay at the heart of the “AlpWeek Intermezzo” held at the beginning of April in Innsbruck, Austria.
Youth are making climate policy
The theme of this year’s “Youth Parliament to the Alpine Convention” was highly topical: how to cope with climate change. A declaration of intent confirmed the long-standing partnership between the organising schools and CIPRA International.
With the Alps at our backs
The French city of Grenoble aims to become the 2022 “European Green Capital”. It can play its biggest trump card in the build-up to this coveted award: the Alps.
From archives to houses of the present
Alpine museums are about more than just wooden skis, farmhouse trunks and old photos. They preserve, exhort or inspire us – and thus have a vital role in society.
No landscape to be seen
Increasing demands for use are putting the Alpine landscape under ever more pressure. The “Urban Sprawl Initiative” is an attempt by environmentalists in Switzerland to reverse the trend. The aim is to curb the marketisation of the landscape.
Point of view: Don’t mess with our future!
The climate crisis is a reality – and it is by no means the only environmental problem looming. Luisa Deubzer of the CIPRA Youth Advisory Council calls for a rethinking on the part of society. In late November 2018 the 24-year-old gave a fiery speech before politicians and young people at the Eusalp Forum in Innsbruck, Austria.
What the landscape tells us
How do we perceive changes in the landscape? Why do we feel more closely connected to some places than others? These questions are raised by CIPRA with «Re-Imagine Alps», its new interactive map of the region.
Sustainable Tourism: Who will do the job?
There is no shortage of ideas when it comes to sustainable tourism in the Alps. But who will take charge of networking these ideas? In early November CIPRA International invited experts from all the Alpine countries to attend a workshop in Innsbruck, Austria in order to jointly develop a job profile.
Youth participation is a must-have – not a nice-to-have
More youth participation in the Alps! This was the plea made by the GaYA Conference in Chambéry, France, to politicians and policymakers in the Alpine countries. The strength of feeling involved was illustrated by the participation of numerous young people and representatives from the spheres of politics and society.
Three workshops for sustainable mobility
Ideas for cross-border co-operation, the future of the Veynes railway and a toolbox for sustainable commuting: three projects from the Alps that serve as an inspiration for more sustainable mobility.
Good service for rural areas
A success story: December 2018 saw the opening of the 100th «Maison de services au public» in the French Alps.
Winter Olympics: return to the Alps in 2026?
In early January 2019 the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo submitted a joint bid, facing off with Stockholm in Sweden in the race to host the Winter Olympics. The IOC will make its decision in June.
Ecosystems out of balance
Storms, drought, floods, mudslides and avalanches: many Alpine regions were affected by extreme natural events in 2018. The first measures are already in place to ensure better management.
Researching the Alps
They are probably among the most thoroughly researched mountain areas on Earth, yet the spirit of research in the Alps remains undiminished: November 2018 saw the opening of a new Centre for Mountain Research in the Swiss city of Sion.
Venturing into the unknown
In her report Christine Eben would write: ‘Once again we formed mixed groups, in terms of both age and nationality, just as we had in our previous workshops that had proved so successful. As it’s all about future developments, exchanging ideas with young people is all the more important.’
The Alps as a climate laboratory
Without climate protection measures the average temperature in the Alps will increase by up to 4.5 degrees by 2050. New initiatives give rise to hope, with the latest United Nations climate report drawing further attention to the topic.
A cultural heritage to savour
How a cross-border project combines culinary delights with the Alpine heritage.
What nature provides
The international project AlpES is strengthening the importance of ecosystems and their services for the population of the Alps. The project team will be presenting its results on 21-22 November 2018 in Innsbruck, Austria.
Morbegno recognised for its commitment
Morbegno, in the Italian region of Lombardy, has been chosen as the 2019 «Alpine Town of the Year». It thus joins an international network that advocates future-proof urban development in the Alps.