|
|
Back
to the speakers'list
Back to the
program
The "Espace Mont-Blanc" case study Stefania MUTI - Transborder Conference Espace Mont-Blanc, Aoste, Italy
INTRODUCTION
The transfrontalier Mont Blanc Conference which brings together France, Switzerland and Italy for the protection and enhancement of the Mont Blanc transfrontalier territory, has committed itself to setting up an alpine laboratory for work on applying the principles of sustainable development.
As we heard earlier, the Conference was created in 1991 through the initiative of the Ministers of the Environment and the local communities, as well as following on from the detailed proposition put forward by a group of famous mountaineers for the creation of an international Park.
Using this idea for a Park, the local communities developed the notion of the "Espace". This innovative concept was able to unite the necessary requirements for protection with those of development, in an area where the exceptional natural and environmental heritage co-existed and sometimes conflicted with, economic activities and widespread international tourism.
Over the years the Conference has undertaken various projects in the four major sectors, namely the promotion of types of soft mobility tourism, the revitalisation of mountain agriculture, the study of zones most vulnerable to the pressures of man as well as the search for solutions to the problems of transport, both on an international and national level. Steps taken have enabled the on-site "testing" of common land management policies and the strengthening of co-operative methods.
THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND TERRITORIAL CONTEXT
The "Espace Mont-Blanc" covers quite a large territory (approximately 3500 km²), at the heart of the Alps, straddling the Savoie and Haute Savoie regions, Valais and the Aosta Valley.
The Mont Blanc massive and the surrounding regions offer a variety of sites: glaciers; highly developed tourist centres such as Chamonix, Courmayeur or Megève; traditional villages of the Val Ferret region in Valais or the Beaufort region in Savoie where agriculture and animal husbandry are important resources, both from an economic point of view and for the conservation of the landscape; the protected sites of the Combe de l'A or the Aiguilles Rouges, etc.
The "Espace Mont-Blanc" is also relatively well connected to the international network of roads, which means that for tourists this region can be quite easily reached from the major urban basins, such as Pô and south-eastern France.
The geographical context varies greatly, and with its natural and ecological values is a habitat that is fragile and vulnerable to the varying pressures exerted by man.
THE WORKING METHOD: CONCRETE ACTION, TEST ZONES, PILOT PROJECTS
The implementation of Mont Blanc Transfrontalier Conference programmes is carried out through a pragmatic approach which, given the limited range of natural and economic resources available, aims to increase the impact of initiatives taken by involving local players, by concentrating on specific zones and by trying to give the projects an "exemplary" character, so they can be applied elsewhere.
Some of the Conference's projects were acknowledged on a European level and were thus eligible for co-financing as part of the Interreg or Life community programmes.
The importance of these initiatives as well as their intrinsic value, lies in their inter-regional aspect and in the sharing of experiences, from project conception through to their appraisal. Co-ordination and harmony are the two key words of the Conference; with the aim that one side of the border knows what was happening on the other side, at least in terms of land management.
Furthermore, the Conference encourages a combined approach, with whenever possible, the aim to involve all potential players, so that initiatives undertaken can have real impact at local level.
THE "ESPACE MONT-BLANC" WORKING FOR "SUSTAINABLE TOURISM "
Based on the common reflection on the future of tourism in the Mont Blanc region and noting very differing situations dependant upon sector, the objective of the "Espace Mont-Blanc" is to promote "extensive soft mobility" tourism.
The principles applied are particularly attached to the notion of pooling existing resources (infrastructures, heritage, human and natural, etc.) so that they can be better managed, the tourist flows spread out, both numerically and chronologically and the value of the heritage enhanced. Whilst mentioning a few of the achievements, particular attention was paid to the promotion of walks and the huge network of itineraries all around the famous Mont Blanc Tour, and to improvements made on the many paths, with the erecting of identical signs on the Swiss, French and Italian sides, and the publication of a series of brochures and shortly a Guide of the pathways.
Informing and increasing visitor awareness was also enhanced with the organisation of information days, with introductory walks accompanied by mountain professionals and nature lovers and by the distribution of various publications.
Les actions concrètes réalisées
Principes appliqués
The high tourist frequentation of the Veny and Ferret valleys of Courmayeur gave rise to the question of being able to manage these flows by setting up a system regulating access by car.
As far as questions concerning the accommodation, planning and management of tourist flows are concerned, the "Espace Mont-Blanc", in collaboration with the Commune of Courmayeur, has come up with four areas to work on :
ACCOMMODATING VISITORS AND REGULATING FLOWS, including the installation of "flexible" measures
THE DEFINITION FOLLOWED BY THE APPLICATION OF THE "CAPACITY LOAD" fixing the maximum number of cars going up to the two valleys
STRUCTURES AND MANAGEMENT RESOURCES, notably the structuring of local partnerships and the organisation of regulations
IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND ENCOURAGING OTHER MEANS OF JOINING THE VALLEYS, e.g. either by means of the network of paths, mountain bikes and horse rides.
Measures for the management of flows are set up during the summer season.
The programme concerning regulation is financed with the help of the regional Administration as part of the "Espace Mont-Blanc" activities, thanks to the stipulation of specific conventions with the Commune of Courmayeur and the Agency for the Promotion of Mont Blanc Tourism (APT).
The results already obtained encourage the Commune, the APT et the Region to continue in this direction which although it can be improved upon, has already considerably reduced the amount of unauthorised parking in the valleys, has protected the natural resources and has increased the use of public transport.
Courmayeur's experience has aroused the interest of the ICOMOS (International Monument and Site Council), which is a non-governmental heritage organisation which is commissioned by UNESCO.
A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE "Espace Mont-Blanc"
The next step for the "Espace Mont-Blanc" is the drawing up of a Plan for sustainable development, a tool for programming and planning activities.The plan will be based on interviews carried out in sectors by the Mont Blanc Transfrontalier Conference on the topics of vulnerable habitats, the area, transport, mountain agriculture and tourism. If seems obvious that local, national and international systems, regulations and strategy in terms of land planning and sustainable development in the Alps must also be considered.
As part of the benchmark documents, the Aosta Valley will also have for example, the Territorial Plan for landscapes as well as other sector-based plans authorised both on a local and regional level. For members of the European Union, the number of related regulations is vast: the most recent benchmark text is the Decision dated 24 September 1998, n° 2179, adopted by the Parliament and by the Council, concerning the future examination of the community programme for policy and action in favour of the environment and sustainable development. On the other hand a benchmark document which is of interest to the three countries of the "Espace Mont-Blanc", is the alpine Convention.
A TRUE POLICY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT…
"True environmental policy concerns four sectors of activity: finance, industry, transport and agriculture. All those looking after the environment must repair the damage entailed". This notion, expressed by Mr. Klaus Toepfer, former German minister for the environment, whilst it appears slightly pessimistic, does enable us to best understand in what direction the approach must evolve, if we want the strategies set up to have a global impact.
The Plan for the Sustainable Development of "Espace Mont-Blanc" may generate occasional and decisive consequences if it is elaborated then applied with the participation of the interested parties and not only with the institutions. A plan for sustainable development loses all its importance if the model it proposes is not used in decision-making processes relating to land management and especially to local economy, tourism, the services offered and the infrastructures, etc.
In other words, if the tourist offer continues to place greater importance on quantity rather than quality; if the process abandoning agricultural and pastoral activity is not stopped; or if, on a national and international level, no decision is taken concerning the transport system to check traffic flows which are quite obviously incompatible with the region's tourist quality and vocation, the creation of a protected area encompassing the Mont Blanc massive, in spite of its symbolic signification and positive impact on the protection of the natural heritage, would be symbolic only and exempt from the usually significant results on the surrounding areas.
In order to succeed, the plan must take the shape of a large collective programme, with a real plan for quality for the various sectors upon which the local economy and future development rely. It must be a benchmark tool, shared and applied.
