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Open Spaces in the European Alps—GIS-Based Analysis and Implications for Spatial Planning from a Transnational Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Hubert Job

    (Chair of Geography and Regional Science, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97074 Wurzburg, Germany)

  • Constantin Meyer

    (Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association (ARL), 30179 Hannover, Germany)

  • Oriana Coronado

    (ALPARC—The Alpine Network of Protected Areas, 73000 Chambery, France)

  • Simon Koblar

    (Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS), 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Peter Laner

    (Eurac Research, Institute for Regional Development, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Andrea Omizzolo

    (Eurac Research, Institute for Regional Development, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Guido Plassmann

    (ALPARC—The Alpine Network of Protected Areas, 73000 Chambery, France)

  • Walter Riedler

    (Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing (SIR), 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Philipp Vesely

    (Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing (SIR), 5020 Salzburg, Austria)

  • Arthur Schindelegger

    (Research Unit Land Policy and Land Management, TU Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

This article presents an open space concept of areas that are kept permanently free from buildings, technical infrastructure, and soil sealing. In the European Alps, space is scarce because of the topography; conflicts often arise between competing land uses such as permanent settlements and commercial activity. However, the presence of open spaces is important for carbon sequestration and the prevention of natural hazards, especially given climate change. A GIS-based analysis was conducted to identify an alpine-wide inventory of large-scale near-natural areas, or simply stated, open spaces. The method used identified the degree of infrastructure development for natural landscape units. Within the Alpine Convention perimeter, near-natural areas (with a degree of infrastructural development of up to 20%) account for a share of 51.5%. Only 14.5% of those areas are highly protected and are mostly located in high altitudes of over 1500 m or 2000 m above sea level. We advocate that the remaining Alpine open spaces must be preserved through the delimitation of more effective protection mechanisms, and green corridors should be safeguarded through spatial planning. To enhance the ecological connectivity of open spaces, there is the need for tailored spatial and sectoral planning strategies to prevent further landscape fragmentation and to coordinate new forms of land use for renewable energy production.

Suggested Citation

  • Hubert Job & Constantin Meyer & Oriana Coronado & Simon Koblar & Peter Laner & Andrea Omizzolo & Guido Plassmann & Walter Riedler & Philipp Vesely & Arthur Schindelegger, 2022. "Open Spaces in the European Alps—GIS-Based Analysis and Implications for Spatial Planning from a Transnational Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:9:p:1605-:d:918610
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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