The project’s results offer analyses, strategies and practical instruments for Alpine regions. They are designed to help decision makers in regional and spatial planning as well as policy makers to cope with the challenges posed by demographic change in the Alps.
Munich, September 2012 – How does the mix of an ageing population, lower birth rates and a higher life expectancy specifically affect the sensitive Alpine space? And what action should be taken in this area to deal with the consequences of demographic change? Thirteen partners involved in the DEMOCHANGE project have not only prepared detailed analyses and strategies, but also developed practical instruments. The most important results will be presented at the international final conference on 26th – 27th September 2012 in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
CAREFUL ANALYSIS
Due to its topography, natural resources and attraction to tourists, the Alpine space is particularly affected by demographic change. For this reason, the EU Alpine Space Programme is co-funding the transnational DEMOCHANGE project. An international team led by the Department of Tourism at the Munich University of Applied Sciences has analysed the main challenges that the Alpine space faces due to an ageing population. At the same time, the influences of migration and infrastructure were investigated, as well as the effects on tourism, agriculture, the health and care sector, housing construction and education.
EXPERIENCES FROM FIVE ALPINE COUNTRIES
The practical needs of the local areas were also examined in-depth in collaboration with ten Alpine regions that had been selected as suitable models: in parts of Piemont, Aostatal and South Tyrol (Italy), Seetal and Nidwalden (Switzerland), in the Allgäu, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany), as well as in regions in the Salzburger Land (Austria) and Upper Gorenjska(Slovenia). Adaptation strategies based on practical experiences were therefore also developed, together with instruments for spatial planning and regional development. In this way, a balance has been achieved which is based on both practical experience and applied science. The project team is now offering those interested in participating in the conference the opportunity to discover the most important findings and to discuss the proposed action. The conference is aimed above all at decision-makers from regional planning, as well as spatial planning and policy, but also experts from the fields of science, tourism and the media, who are interested in demographic issues.
PHOTO COMPETITION ON DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE
In addition, the winners of the DEMOCHANGE photo competition will be announced at the conference and their photos shown. From spectacular natural landscapes to the contrasts ranging from the dialectic clash of tradition with modernism, this exhibition tells various stories through photographs from different alpine regions. The photos are shown at the Slovenian Alpine Museum from 26th September – 4th November 2012. The Mountain Messner Museum in Bruneck, Italy, will host the exhibition from 26th December to 25th April 2013.
Transnational Conference: DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE IN THE ALPS: Evolving with the needs of people, September 26th – 27th 2012 in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. The conference languages are German, Italian and Slovenian. Please register at: info@demochange.org , participation in the conference is free of charge.
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
With 23 full-time professors, 50 lecturers, and over 1,000 students, the department of tourism at Munich University of Applied Sciences is the largest university department in the field of tourism in Germany and offers the broadest range of courses in the subject. It maintains diverse international relationships and actively contributes to applied research worldwide.
Kontakt:
Munich University of Applied Sciences – Department of Tourism – Demochange Project
Susanne Forster
Schachenmeierstraße 35
80636 Munich
0049-89-1265-2134
susanne.forster@hm.edu
http://www.tr.fh-muenchen.de
Pressekontakt:
peak pr – mountains, nature, tourism
Andrea Schmoelzer
Riedener Weg 41
82319 Starnberg
0049-8151-773 773
schmoelzer@peak-pr.de
http://www.demochange.org