Fluvarium - Competence Centre Water (Wasserwelten Göschenen)
Best Practice
Topics
Regional value added
Governance capacity
Short description
The Project „Wasserwelten“ (Water Worlds) Göschenen has realised an attractive and exiting nature trail in the valley of Göschenen and is planning a Fluvarium – the Competence Centre Water, to broach the issues of water, water usage and water protection. The nature trail (water trail) in the valley, as well as the Fluvarium are directed at school classes, tourists, families, experts and the local population. A central part of the project is the inclusion of schools and science.
Project executive
Foundation for environmental education and tourism Uri Gotthard („Umweltbildung und Tourismus Uri Gotthard“). The foundation has been established in December 2001. It realises, fosters and supports projects and initiatives in the field of environmental education and sustainable tourism in the canton Uri and in the region Gotthard.
Responsible Person:
Gisler Stefan
President of the Foundation Umweltbildung und Tourismus
Oberriedenstrasse 28, 6463, Bürglen, Switzerland
stgisler@bluewin.ch
+41 (0)41 870 80 12
Participants
Canton Uri and cantonal/regional expert commissions, the didactical centre Uri, the municipality Göschenen and the tourist office Göschenen. Additionally for the Fluvarium – Competence Centre Water: corporation Uri, Uri tourism, patronage by federal offices, Swiss consortium for mountain areas SAB, organisations of civil society, education institutions and didactical centres, Universities, ETHs and polytechnics, enterprises from energy industry, drinking water and hydrogen.
Objectives
Promotion and fortification of activities in the fields of environmental education and sustainable close-to-nature tourism in the region Göschenen / activating and initiating water use – water protection / development of new possibilities of adding value by the putting nature and culture into value / strengthening endogenous resources and knowledge / sensitisation of local population and tourists for the value of water / making available and communicating the knowledge concerning water topics and the value of the water in the alpine region / exchange of experiences and knowledge transfer in the competence network water and cooperation with related projects in the region / stimulating and supporting research in the field of water / facilitating tangible projects for implementation in the fields of water protection and utilisation / positioning of the competence of the region / promoting the journey by public transport using different incentives.
Activities
Each year, a press conference and a public day including “Art and water”-events are arranged, presenting the new results of the projects. The target groups defined by the marketing- and distribution concept are continually informed via relevant channels using communication devices such as the folder, flyers, water school, posters, etc. The homepage (www.wasserwelten.ch) has been renewed in 2004 and is constantly actualised. A marketing concept has been implemented for the water school and is carried out by didactical centre Uri. Flanking measures such as synergies to the competence network water “art and water” as well as public days including press conferences for tourists and the local population were carried out from 2002 to 2004. Wasserwelten Göschenen aims to increase the quality of its offers and was awarded with the quality seal “Q” of Schweiz Tourismus. In addition further project elements shall be realised.
Process
Traditional project management. No specific Methods were used.
Results
Water trail Göschenen: from the front ends of the Damma Glacier back in the valley of Göschen to the sewage plant below the village 89 stations on a path network of 60 kilometres show the different aspects of water / map of walks of the water trail Göschenen, 1:25’000, 89 waterpoints and beauties of nature / “All about water (rund ums Wasser)”: hiking guide for the water trail Göschenen, background information about water, coordinated wit the map / “water school”: teaching material for outdoor courses, practical guides for lessons about water / excursions and guided tours about nature and culture / media library: a further service for educational institutions, teachers as well as tourists. A search engine allows fast access to water related topics / “art and water”: exposition, fine arts, event days wit artists / Fluvarium- Competence Centre Water (planned).
Evaluation
No evaluation data available.
Difficulties
Only the project „the showcase region Göschenen – a future for Man and mountain”, a classical “Agenda 21 project” – and one of the first in the mountain area – has revealed many potentials and deficits. For all parties the beginning was a difficult period with unknown outcome. Thanks to its high acceptance Wasserwelten Göschenen has lead to a rethinking in the population. The competences and the engagement in the population have to be improved further.
Budget
2'400'000 Euro (Euro)
Financial backer
Foundation landscape protection Switzerland (Landschaftsschutz Schweiz), canton Uri, corporation Uri, cantonal bank Urnen, Migros (cultural percent), Ford Award, Mava Foundation, Bernd-Thies Foundation, Otto-Gamma Foundation, other foundations.
