The symposium of the ‘Alliance in the Alps’ network of municipalities will take place in 2025 in the member region of Kumma in Vorarlberg - a model region for inter-municipal cooperation. Get to know the secret of success of the four municipalities Altach, Götzis, Koblach and Mäder and exchange ideas with like-minded people from the entire Alpine region.
Programme
Flood and climate protection, joint development concepts and economic cooperation are at the centre of this year's conference. In addition to inspiring presentations, you will have the opportunity to go on an excursion throughout the region to familiarise yourself with good local examples. In two workshops, we will discuss results from the EU projects proCURE and BrokeringSpaces on joint sustainable procurement and sustainable spatial planning respectively.
Gerd Hölzl, Mayor of Koblach and Regio Chairman
Markus Giesinger, Mayor of Altach
Manfred Böhmwalder, Mayor of Götzis
Daniel Schuster, Mayor of Mäder
On the beginnings, successes and stumbling blocks of cooperation in the Kumma region and recommendations for other regions seeking close cooperation.
The Alps in fever
Andreas Jäger, meteorologist and moderator
On the effects and solutions of climate change for the Alpine region and why successful climate change adaptation can only be achieved with a strong community.
The power of cooperation
Kriemhild Büchel-Kapeller, expert in social capital, sustainability and participation processes; member of the KDZ's ‘Resilient Community’ competence network
On successful and hindering factors for cooperation at municipal level - and the potential of genuine cooperation in challenging times.
Rhesi - Flood protection for the Rhine Valley
tbd, International Rhine Regulation
On a project of the century between Austria and Switzerland for greater safety for the population along the Alpine Rhine.
Biodiversity Action Plan 2030+ of the Principality of Liechtenstein
Sabine Monauni, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment
Christian Öhri, Mayor of Ruggell
On the vision for near-natural spaces and a diverse nature as well as the close cooperation between the state, municipalities and the population for its realisation.
Note: The excursion for this conference is planned as a joint trip through the region for all conference participants; it is not necessary to make a selection.
Rhesi on site
Koblach - Mäder
We will travel to the Rhine between Koblach and Mäder and discuss the changes and consequences of the Rhesi project for the municipalities on site. We will be travelling on foot and on the historic "Rhibähle" (Rhine train).
Renaturalisation of the Emmebach
Altach
With the award-winning renaturalisation of the Emmebach in Altach, a large area has been returned to nature, while the municipality has improved flood protection and created a local recreation area for the population. We walk along the new Emmebach biotope and learn more about the entire planning and development process. Afterwards, a coffee break awaits us at the football stadium in Altach.
Flood protection Emmebach - retention area Örfla
Götzis
The Emmebach is also at the centre of flood protection in the market town of Götzis. Protective structures are being built to prevent gravel, sand and debris from becoming a problem in the event of flooding. In addition, a retention area with a storage capacity of around 50,000 cubic metres is being created in the Örflaschlucht gorge. Depending on the status of the construction work, we will walk around the area at various points and familiarise ourselves with the large-scale project.
The round trip ends in Götzis.
Bus transfer at 18:30 and 18:45 from the bus stop ‘Am Garnmarkt’ in Götzis
Note: The workshops will take place one after the other at this conference, a selection is not necessary.
proCURE - successfully mastering joint procurement
The EU project proCURE is developing materials to introduce small and medium-sized municipalities to sustainable procurement. The project also focusses on joint procurement by several municipalities. This has already been successfully practised in Vorarlberg for many years with the ÖkoBeschaffungsService (ÖBS). In the workshop, project partners and interested municipalities come together to share their experiences and discuss what works and what can be transferred.
Angelika Tisch, IFZ Graz und Vivien Führ, agado
project results proCURE
Christoph Nocker, Vorarlberger Gemeindeverband
success of ÖBS
Note: The workshops will take place one after the other at this conference, a selection is not necessary.
Land in the Alps - especially in the Alpine valleys - is a scarce and finite resource. As a result of climate change, there are increasing conflicts of land use between different interest groups. The EU project BrokeringSpaces aims to collect and evaluate best practices. In the workshop, we will familiarise ourselves with joint spatial planning in the region and discuss initial ideas from the project. This will give all participants the opportunity to share their challenges and conflicts and thus enrich the project results.
Robert Krasser, SIR, about the BrokeringSpaces project idea
Wolfgang Pfefferkorn, Rosinak&Partner, on the regREK at Kumma and the Rhine Valley agglomeration programme as an innovative instrument for sustainable spatial planning
internal meeting
Conference location: Dorfmitte
The Kumma region is easily accessible by public transport. The destination is Götzis.
The LANDBus 462 connects Götzis station with the hotels in Götzis and Klaus and the conference venue in Koblach.
