amKumma Regional Development Concept

The municipalities of the amKumma Region are looking to draw up a joint regional development concept (REK) across the region's municipalities. The amKumma REK is the next step in the regional co-operation scheme first agreed in 2002 and more widely developed since; it is also a driving force for regional co-operation and therefore for strengthening the region as a whole. The region would like to develop into a model region for sustainability. Drawing inspiration from the Vis!on Rheintal model, it intends to focus on the following aspects: socio-cultural development; economic development and labour; open spaces and landscape; housing settlements and mobility; shared facilities and co-operation between municipalities. The work methods to be applied are to include open planning processes not only in the region but also beyond the Rhine as a national boundary (which is certainly a novelty), in joint collaboration with the neighbouring municipalities and regions.

Aims:

The principal aim of the joint cross-municipality regional development concept based on the guiding principle is to make the population more aware of the sustainable development of our region by clarifying future planning developments. The region would like to develop into a model region for sustainability. Another concurrent aim is to express the need for regional co-operation and co-ordination with neighbouring regions and municipalities (Vorderland, Hohenems and Oberried CH). The way in which the municipalities and the region are interconnected is to be reinforced by involving the population, thereby also increasing our "social capital". The objective is to draw up a multitude of projects focusing on the areas set out in the Vis!on Rheintal model, i.e. socio-cultural development; economic development and labour; open spaces and landscape; housing settlements and mobility; shared facilities and co-operation between municipalities.

Realization:

With the assistance of a specialist agency the amKumma overall concept is to be discussed among the residents of the four municipalities, with the results obtained incorporated in the decision-making process of the Members' Meeting.
As part of the process of formulating the cross-municipality regional development concept, the content-based and formal bases for the key issues jointly recognised as being of significance to the region will be drawn up in workshops held not only in the technical committees, but also in the cross-border working groups yet to be established and in the association's bodies. A minimum of four meetings will be convened in each of the technical committees (4). Each working group (5-7) will be held at least three times and the members' meeting at least five, with the Executive Board convening 10 to 12 times.

Impact:

The project is borne by the amKumma Association. The following technical committees are already in place: Economic Affairs, Mobility, Social Affairs and Places of Special Interest. The members of these technical committees are comprised of local authority representatives, representatives of various institutions (nursing association, economic community, etc.) and fellow citizens who are of particular importance to us and have come forward as a result of a municipal notice. In addition, a joint venture with Vis!on Rheintal, etc.

Region:

Region amKumma

Location:

Altach, Mäder, Götzis, Koblach

Projectterm:

Discussion and deliberation of the overall joint concept by October 2007; commencement of development work on the regional development concept in October 2007; work in technical committees and working groups from October 2007 to December 2008; pooling and discussion of results among the general public from January 2009 to May 2009.

Contact person:

Gemeinde Mäder
Rainer Siegele
Alte Schulstrasse 7
6841 Mäder
AT
Telefon: +43 5523 528600
Fax +435523 528 60 20
E-mail: rainer.siegele@maeder.at
Website http://www.maeder.at

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