Preparation of the Alpine Space II programme 2007-2013 First results of the SWOT analysis

1. Preparation of the Alpine Space II programme 2007-2013First results of the SWOT analysis Alpine Space Summit – June 19th-20th,Stresa INGEROP – URBAN PLANNING INSTITUTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

2. 1 - General frame of the SWOT analysis • The Strength / weaknesses – Opportunities / threats analysis (SWOT) has been required by the European Commission to prepare the next generation of transnational programmes 2006 – 2013 • The SWOT is the first step for defining strategy and priorities for the programme and afterward a matching set of indicators enabling to follow up the programme.

3. 1- General frame of the SWOT analysis • The SWOT method applied to the Alpine Space has a number of characteristics: • a strategy building tool • Unlike a full length diagnosis, it is a rather short document enabling to set a synthesis of a wide range of information encompassing different scales and sector aspects of the cooperation area. Its items enable to draw the main relevant issues of the cooperation area and are a direct input to formulate the strategy and the priorities. • a capital of knowledge • The inputs of the SWOT are among others the former operational programme, the prospective study, the mid term evaluation, the transnational projects carried out, ESPON studies etc.

4. 1- General frame of the SWOT analysis • a participative bottom –up method • It enables different Alpine stakeholders to express their point of view over the Alpine Space. This upstream association of stakeholders (notably through national consultations) is aimed at producing a shared analysis of the Alpine Space, which is a prerequisite for shared strategy and priorities. The point is to enable Alpine stakeholders to consider the Alpine Space programme as a practical development tool taking into account their preoccupations and matching with their projects.

5. 1- General frame of the SWOT analysis • also a top – down approach • It identifies the different relevant aspects of the cooperation area according to European strategies or frames. To that purpose an “inventory SWOT” has been set and put the Alpine Space in the perspective of the Lisbon strategy, the Gothenburg strategy and spatial cohesion (according to a frame set by ESPON).

6. 1- General frame of the SWOT analysis • The risk of such a method might be its subjectivity and its synthetic approach. • Subjectivity can be reduced through the consultation of different stakeholders and through a progressive process based on exchanges and reactions among a reasonable wide set of actors. • The SWOT is completed with a more quantitative analysis based on ESPON studies.

7. 2 - A first inventory SWOT • A first inventory SWOT has been set in order to analyse the Alpine Space through the categories of the main European strategies : • Lisbon strategy : growth, employment and competitivity, • Gothenburg strategy : sustainable development, • Territorial cohesion : ESPON frame.

8. 2 - A first inventory SWOT

9. 2 - A first inventory SWOT

10. 2 - A first inventory SWOT

11. 2 - A first inventory SWOT

12. 3 – Main issues raised through the SWOT • A second version of the SWOT has been produced according to the following categories : • Growth, competitiveness and innovation, • Territorial structure, • Accessibility and mobility, • Environment, resources and risks.

13. 3.1 Growth, competitiveness and innovation • Strengths • Strong and diverse economy • Metropolitan areas (“growth engines”)+ network of cities • Specific productive cultures • Environment as a key productive factor • Universities and research centres (public and private) • Weaknesses • Weaknesses in some sectors • Small scale territorial discrepancies • Mobility and environmental impacts of growth • Opportunities • Basis for innovation (PPP, competitivity clusters, know how…) • Tourism diversification • Threats • Specific threats for some sectors (industry or tourism) • Competition between agriculture and tourism

14. 3.2 Territorial structure • Strengths • Central location in Europe • Strong metropolitan areas and dense network of medium and small cities • Small scale city networks • Traditionally compact cities • Successful core areas • Weaknesses • Distinction between prosperous areas (northern and southern parts of the AS) and not so rich areas (central and eastern parts) • Small scale territorial discrepancies (remote areas, rural areas, tourist resorts etc.) • Lack of city networks at wide scale • Opportunities • Development of networks (transports, ICT) • Wider city networks • Threats • Increasing discrepancies at small scale • Gaps in the urban hierarchy • Abandonment of some remote rural areas • Urban sprawl

15. 3.3 Accessibility and mobility • Strengths • Good level of accessibility within Europe • Good regional transport systems • Weaknesses • Links between major metropolitan areas • Accessibility within the Alpine core is unequal (remoteness) • Growth of transports through road and individual means • Impacts of transports, especially in some transit areas • Opportunities • Mass transport systems for freight • Innovative transport solutions • Threats • Costs of congestion (economical, environmental, social) • Little incentive for growth of further transport investments

16. 3.4 Environment, resources and risks • Strengths • Rich natural and cultural resources (landscapes etc.) • Abundant resources (e.g. water) • Renewable energies • Rather low general exposition to natural hazards • Weaknesses • Conflicts of use (water, land consumption…) • Natural hazards in specific areas (valleys, mountain core) • Protection : how much and how large ? • Opportunities • Valorisation of heritage • Development of renewable energies • Threats • Diminishing diversity • Pressure or inefficient use of resources • Climate change (water, natural hazards etc.)