The Alps in 2020 : Cultural landscapes between the growth of urban agglomerations and the spread of wilderness areas

Abstract : ased on the findings of thе recently finalised research project REGALP we present some ideas on the future spatial development of the Alps. For the diverse types of alpine areas there are rather different future perspectives, but generally we can suppose that the spatial polarisation between prosperous and less favoured areas will continue. For the future of alpine cultural landscapes this means that by 2020 we can expect two contrary phenomena at the same time : firstly a growth of prosperous urban agglomerations, with the related problems of landscape consumption and land use conflicts, and secondly an aggravation of phenomena of decline and abandonment. We present the basements of this diagnosis stemming from the REGALP project, such as the analyses of local developement types and of regional accessibility levels. Furthermore, secenarios for the future of the Alps have been elaborated and discussed with stakeholders from seven alpine pilot regions. Finally we summarise some policy requirements for a more sustainable and balanced development of the Alps. For more information see : www.regalp.atFavry Eva, Pfefferkorn Wolfgang. The Alps in 2020 : Cultural landscapes between the growth of urban agglomerations and the spread of wilderness areas. In: Revue de géographie alpine, tome 93, n°2, 2005. Futurs alpins. pp. 47-54