News
Nature abhors a border
Nature in the Alps should be networked more effectively; to this end, the hindrances that stand in the way of animal migration and the spread of vegetation and plants should be made more permeable. Four alpine-wide network organisations are aiming to create an "ecological continuum" in the Alps. The preliminary project has just been given the go-ahead.
Dust cover speeds up snowmelt
A new study reveals that dust blown hundreds of kilometres by the wind from erosion zones or dry regions is capable of speeding up the snowmelt in the mountains of Colorado/USA by around one month. Researchers at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder were surprised not by the fact that the dust-covered snow cover was found to melt more quickly but by the extent to which this occurred in measurements and simulations.
An outgoing airport for the Allgäu
In the view of the project's initiators the opening of the Memmingerberg regional airport in the Allgäu/D on 28 June represents the "opportunity of the century". Bavaria subsidised the project to the tune of €7.3 m, with total investments amounting to €20 m.
International Conference: The Alps beyond Kyoto
CIPRA, the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, is organising an international conference on energy efficiency and renewable energies in the Alpine region from 20 to 22 September.
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.
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.
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
The French département of Savoie aims to promote all-year tourism with its 2007-2013 Tourism Plan.
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
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
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
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
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.