Working Group of the Alpine Convention: Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development

Alpine Spatial Development Perspective

Sustainable development in the Alps has a complex spatial dimension. The Alps bring together eight countries, which are organized in a multi-level way, involving the regional, municipal and European levels. Spatial development balances sectoral policies as transport, environment, tourism, etc. that are sometimes in conflict with each other. Spatial planning, that regulates in a binding way at a local and regional scale, is a domestic mandate. At a pan-Alpine level, spatial development addresses current issues in a softer, more strategic way. At the FAU, we have been working on an Alpine Spatial Development Perspective (ASDP) since 2020, which has resulted in a synthesis report. In the coming years, the ASDP will position and develop a common cross-sectoral (spatial) vision, including thematic, geographical and procedural aspects.

Results of the participatory mapping

The German Chair of the Working Group on Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development of the Alpine Convention by the BMWSB as contractor is supported by FAU together with Ifuplan, Institut für Umweltplanung und Raumentwicklung.

The Working Group helps to implement the objective of the Alpine Convention and the Protocol on Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development, in particular:

  • Recognition of the specific needs of the Alpine region within the framework of national and European policies,
  • Harmonization of land use with ecological objectives and requirements,
  • economical and environmentally compatible use of resources and space,
  • Recognition of the special interests of the population in the Alpine region through efforts to secure their development bases in the long term,
  • Promotion of economic development with simultaneous balanced population development within the Alpine region,
  • Preservation of regional identities and cultural characteristics,
  • Promoting equal opportunities for the resident population in the area of social, cultural and economic development while respecting the competences of the regional authorities,
  • Consideration of natural handicaps, services in the general interest, restrictions on the use of resources and prices for the use of resources that correspond to their real value.

    Participative mapping in a joint workshop of the Alpine Convention Working Groups ‘Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development’ and ‘Transport’