Coping with Demographic Change in the Alpine Regions : Actions and Strategies for Spatial and Regional Development

Demographic change is making not only regional and territorial adaptation necessary, but also new region-specific spatial planning and regional development.

Europe’s population is ageing and decreasing. Demographic change is making not only regional and territorial adaptation necessary, but also new region-specific spatial planning and regional development. This publication focusses on demographic change and its implications for the economy and social systems in the Alpine areas, which differ widely from their surrounding metropolitan areas. It provides a specific regional in-depth study in order to help establish suitable adaptation and development programs. It covers various aspects including demographic analysis, onsite participatory strategies and implementation processes, as well as generalized adaptation strategies. Reports on pilot actions in various regions across the Alps demonstrate how demographic change can be approached from a practitioner’s perspective. The volume is based on the results of the project DEMOCHANGE, which was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund in the frame of the European Territorial Cooperation "Alpine Space" program.