Nature experience with solar power in South Carinthia-Karawanken

Given Slovenia's imminent accession to Schengen, increased tourist commuter traffic is to be expected particularly in the Alliance region of South Carinthia-Karawanken. The quality of the intensive tourist development of the area of unspoilt nature and culture (protected areas) is to be given a boost with a solar mobility concept (new uses for electric vehicles). Complementing the bathing lakes and excursion destinations in the region (centres of tourism) the existing protected areas in the hinterland of these tourism centres are to be incorporated into a solar mobility and development concept. The interconnected network of biotopes created as a result is designed on the one hand to contribute to raising people's awareness of environmental and nature conservation issues and, on the other, to boost the regional value-added cycles and strengthen the identity of the local economy and population.

Aims:

An eco-friendly and sustainable transport system aimed at reducing private motorised traffic in a sensitive area of unspoilt nature and culture is to be set up on the basis of solar energy technologies. Interlinking key tourist attractions (bathing lakes, etc.) with regional excursion destinations will result in a cross-municipality solar mobility system aimed at channelling visitor flows in a resource-friendly way while enhancing the tourist offer. Besides the development of tourism the exemplary use of solar-powered means of transport is to have an educational and familiarisation effect on the local population. The regional objective includes achieving a region that is self-sufficient in energy (see Regional Development Guideline for the District of Völkermarkt, March 2007) and in a subsequent implementation stage setting up solar service stations in each Alliance community.

Realization:

1. Concept for solar mobility in South Carinthia - Karawanken: specifying solar "service station locations", defining the types of vehicle to be used (cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles), interlinking with key public transport intersections (rail and bus), developing an operator concept, groundwork into the implementation of a project for a park & ride scheme with two solar "service stations".
2. Biotope network: Setting up an organisational structure and drawing up targeted utilisation concepts for protection and tourist use.
3. Awareness-raising for an educational and familiarisation process among the local population for the daily use of solar means of locomotion - switchover models and financing concepts for private households with more than one vehicle.
4. Public relations work: Formulating a concept and running an information campaign (mini-road-show) to raise the awareness of decision makers, educational establishments and more generally to inform the population at large.

Location:

Völkermarkt, Eberndorf, Eisenkappel-Vellach, Feistritz ob Bleiburg, Gallizien, Globasnitz, Sittersdorf

Involved:

Association for the Regional Development of Southern Carinthia, Southern Carinthia Working Group on Renewable Energy, Sablatnigmoor Association, Globasnitz History Society (Hemmaberg Landscape Conservation Area), Obir Tropfsteinhöhlen GesmbH (stalactite cave), Petzen Bergbahnen GmbH, Eurosolar Association, Archi Noah Landscape Planning, National Conservation Working Group (ARGE Naturschutz), ECO (Institute for Ecology), Photovoltaik Austria Association, Roland Vallery Locksmiths, South Carinthia Tourist Board

Contact person:

Verein Regionalentwicklung Südkärnten
Peter Plaimer
Klagenfurterstrasse 10
9100 Völkermarkt
AT
Telefon: +43 5 90904 583
Fax +43 4232 2227 582
E-mail: peter.plaimer@rmk.co.at
Website http://www.regionalmanagement-kaernten.at

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