Zukunft. Lebensraum

Dieses Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Europäischen Fonds für regionale Entwicklung kofinanziert. Nähere Informationen zu IWB/EFRE finden Sie unter www.efre.gv.at, sowie zu RegioL auf  www.regiol.at/https://www.regiol.at/projekte/aktuelle-projekte.html

Zukunft Lebensraum

Through the CLAR (Clean Alpine Region) Kaunergrat initiative, the Kaunertal nature park and glacier region has succeeded in launching a development process involving broad participation from local authorities, businesses, the nature park, the local population and other stakeholders. The aim is to reconcile the interests of the people who live and work in the holiday region with those of our guests, who wish to enjoy their holidays in an unspoilt natural environment.

Key questions such as “Where are we now?” and “Where are we heading?” are at the heart of this process. The kick-off event for this development process took place in October 2021.

The Kaunertal as a best-practice region from a Tyrolean perspective

At the kick-off event, attended by over 60 people in the Kaunertalsaal at the end of October 2021, Florian Phleps, Managing Director of Tirol Werbung, presented the 'Tiroler Weg' (Tyrolean Way) and praised the Kaunertal region as a best-practice example for a future-oriented and sustainable approach. Following a presentation by the TVB (tourism association) on the region’s strengths and opportunities for the future, and an introduction to the Clean Alpine Region by coordinator Elisabeth Steinlechner, the work carried out with the local community over the past few years was reviewed.
Mayor Josef Raich: 'I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Tourism Association in particular for taking the initiative and organising this process. It is a step in the right direction, and only by working together can we set the course for the future of our valley. Our local environment is the foundation, and tourism can only function sustainably within a healthy symbiosis.'

In workshops, local residents have come up with over 30 ideas for the future 

In early November, small-group workshops were held under the expert guidance of the Swiss consultancy firm GUTUNDGUT, during which potential ideas and measures for the region were developed and discussed at length. Following intensive workshop days with local residents from the communities of Kauns, Kaunerberg, Fendels and Kaunertal, as well as numerous stakeholders and business owners - primarily from the tourism and agriculture sectors - the presentation 'Zukunft. Lebensraum' took place on 10 November.  More than 30 concrete proposals were gathered and presented to over 80 interested parties. Gasser-Mark is delighted with the strong response from the local community: 'The aim of this process was to invite the local community and discuss a sustainable path together. We don’t want a document that ends up in a drawer; it is far more important to jointly define feasible projects and implementation measures. With the professional support of GUTUNDGUT, we are sure to succeed in this.' In a further step, everything that has been developed will now be prioritised based on the wishes of the local community, and possible implementation strategies will be developed.

The Kaunertal is on the right track!

The general consensus among all participants in the public consultation process is clear: the aim is to find a shared path towards sustainability in ecological, economic and socio-cultural terms, one that is supported by everyone. TVB Chairman Armin Falkner confirms: 'We are not simply following some trend here. The conscious focus on becoming a sustainable region, dealing primarily with climate change and potential adaptation strategies, has been our guiding principle for many years in shaping tourism in the Kaunertal region. I am now delighted that the local population also unanimously supports this path and that we are shaping our living environment for the future together.' The participants of 'Zukunft. Lebensraum' were also in agreement regarding the status quo: the Kaunertal is on the right track!