Towns in the Alps (Urbanization Processes, Economic Structure and Demarcation of European Functional Urban Areas (EFUAs) in the Alps

Author Manfred Perlik

Region

Alps

In the territorial limits of the Alpine Convention.

Country: at (Austria), ch (Switzerland), de (Germany), fr (France), it (Italy), li (Liechtenstein), mc (Monaco), si (Slovenia)

Publication type

reviewed

Abstract: This article presents a demarcation of urbanized zones in the Alps based on the French method of European functional urban areas (EFUAs). A comparison of 1980 and 1990 data on employment shows that growth sectors in the Alps are lagging behind those in peri-Alpine conurbations. The Alpine border is gradually being turned into a residential and recreational area for these peri-Alpine conurbations. The present article argues that this externally driven functional division between urban regions outside the Alps and monfunctional recreational landscapes within the Alps contradicts the criteria of sustainable development. Hence, a policy of strengthening small and medium towns in order to increase the value of inner-Alpine lifestyles and economies and enhance town-country relations is preferable to the continued expansion of peri-Alpine agglomerations and metropolitan areas and should be encouraged withing the boundaries set by ecological principles.

Further information