Lecture 4b “Sustainable development of mountain regions”
"You can’t conquer a mountain, though it may conquer you." (Jimmy Chin)
Sustainable development of mountain regions
Preamble:
This interdisciplinary course explores the sustainable development of mountain regions, with a particular emphasis on the Alps. It highlights social scientific perspectives to understand the complex interplay between environmental, social, and economic dynamics in alpine contexts. Students will examine key issues such as climate change adaptation, community resilience, regional development strategies, and participatory governance. Using a transdisciplinary approach, the course draws on case-based learning and real-world examples—including the Alpine Convention and "Bergsteigerdörfer"—to provide critical insights into sustainability initiatives. The course equips students with the analytical tools to assess and shape sustainable futures in mountain regions.
Diese interdisziplinäre Lehrveranstaltung befasst sich mit der nachhaltigen Entwicklung von Gebirgsregionen, insbesondere im Alpenraum. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf sozialwissenschaftlichen Perspektiven, um das komplexe Zusammenspiel von Umwelt-, sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Dynamiken in alpinen Kontexten zu verstehen. Thematisiert werden zentrale Herausforderungen wie der Klimawandel, die Resilienz von Gemeinschaften, regionale Entwicklungsstrategien sowie partizipative Governance. Durch einen transdisziplinären Ansatz und fallbasiertes Lernen – etwa anhand der Alpenkonvention und der „Bergsteigerdörfer“ – erhalten die Studierenden fundierte Einblicke in bestehende Nachhaltigkeitsinitiativen. Ziel ist es, analytische Kompetenzen zu vermitteln, um nachhaltige Zukünfte in Gebirgsregionen kritisch zu beurteilen und aktiv mitzugestalten.
Benefits from lecture:
- Understand key concepts and challenges of sustainable development in mountain regions.
- Gain insight into environmental, social, and economic interdependencies in alpine contexts.
- Explore practical examples of sustainability initiatives in mountain areas (e.g., tourism, agriculture, mobility).
- Develop skills to critically assess regional development strategies.
- Engage with transdisciplinary approaches involving policy, civil society, and science.
Special features of lecture:
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Includes case-based learning (e.g., Alpine Convention, Bergsteigerdörfer)
Main lecturers:
- Rike Stotten
- Wolfger Mayrhofer
Lectures
Unit 1: Introduction: Mountain Regions and the Concept of Sustainable Development
SS 2026; Rike Stotten (2x90 min.)
1. Social scientifique perspectives on mountain regions
- What makes mountain regions unique?
- What defines a region?
- Cultural Landscapes, Identity, and Heritage
2. Governance of the Alps
- How are the Alps organissed legally?
- Eusalp, CIPRA, INTERREG Alpine Space, Alpine Associations
Unit 2 - Perspectives on Sustainable Development
SS 2026, Rike Stotten (2x90 min.)
1. Theoretical foundations: understanding alpine communities as Social-ecological systems
- Vulernability
- Community capitals and resilience
2. Umweltrecht
- International example
Unit 3 - How to deal with Climate Change in Alpine Regions?
SS 2026; Rike Stotten (2x90 min.)
1. The anthropogenic climate change
- Climate change in a social science perspective
- Socio-ecological crisis and imperial mode of living
- Impact on mountain areas
- Reflection: How resilient are mountain communities?
2. How mountain regions deal with climate change
- KLAR! Regions
Unit 4 - Sustainable development of Alpine regions
SS 2026; Rike Stotten (2x90 min.)
1. Social Science perspectives on regional development strategies in mountain region
- Conceptual examples
- Organic regions, protected areas
- Social movements (example Mals)
2. Best practice expamples
- Bergsteigerdörfer
- Xxx
Unit 5 - Governance and Participation in Regional Development
SS 2026; Wolfger Mayrhofer (2x90 min.)
1. Multi-level governance and institutional frameworks
- Role of civil society and participatory processes
- Transdisciplinary research
2. Examples from the alpine regions