The Alps are Europe´s tallest and most remarkable mountain ridge extending across the continent in the shape of a 1,200 km-long arch 150 to 250 km wide. From the Bay of Genoa, its beginning or end, it incorporates seven different countries (France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia). In total the alpine landscape extends across some 220,000 sqkm. The tallest mountains of the western part are Mont Blanc (4810 m) and Monte Rosa (4834 m), while in the eastern part the tallest peaks are Bernina (4049 m), Ortler (3899 m) and Grossglockner (3797 m). Glaciation of the Alps is still topical, with the Aletsch glacier the largest in the Alps. Overall ice-cover has fluctuated enormously in historical times and, of course, considerably more so in geological terms. At present permanent snow begins at 2,500 m at the periphery, and at approx. 3,000 m, or some 500 m higher, in the heart of the Alps. There is no doubt that the Alps are unique, outstanding and among the most attractive landscapes in the World. This conference will present these different ways of approaching territorial forecasting backed by experience, preferably of the Alpine region.