Alpcity

Local endogenous development
and urban regeneration of small alpine towns

Summary:



WP5 Regione Piemonte

Local development and Olympic Winter Games in two Olympic resorts(Pragelato in upper Chisone valley and Prali In the Germanasca valley) (Ereditŕ Olimpica)


Case-project abstract

This local case takes into consideration territorial areas around Pragelato and Prali (Upper Chisone Valley and Germanasca Valley), with the purpose of analyzing the initiatives and the proposals of local economic development with special reference to the Olympic event (Olympic Winter Games that will be hosted in Regione Piemonte in 2006).

Reasons for the choice of this case-project

Main reasons can be found in:

  • Willingness to overcome structural difficulties/constraints particularly strong in Prali (such as a strong isolation that prevent relations)
  • The impact with the Olympic event allows to analyze the effects on stakeholders' networks (e.g. their creation and functioning)
  • Attempts of individuate alternative paths to the decline, when - as in Prali - there is a possibility/risk of mass tourism
  • Awareness of local inhabitants' needs and attempt to attract new residents (as second houses' owners)
  • Interesting presence of foreigners (above all in Pragelato) and relevant institutions (Agape)
  • Intensification of trans-border relations (French valleys)

Adopted methodology

"Objective" analysis of local and non local,* social-economic dynamics

"Subjective" analysis of the project aspects, subjects, resources, development visions. Analysis of the actors and the networks. Path of research-action in order to intensify "the horizontal" knowledge of active social-economic dynamics in the interested "Comuni" (Municipalities) and to define scenarios and development strategies.

* the Pinerolese, the area that surrounds the town of Pinerolo


Expected benefits (local and regional levels)

At Regional level: guidelines, best practices, methodologies of analysis of the operativeness of the local networks through the use of instruments of research-action. Indications for the local management of impacts/effects/inheritance of the great Olympic event.


Are follow-up activities foreseen ?

The project case is part of a "tradition of research" opened from the project of promotion of the sustainability of Pinerolese (PPSP), promoted from the "Consorzio Pracatinat" (2003-2005). The intent of the PPSP is to build, between the subjects that signed the Territorial Pact of the Pinerolese, a shared knowledge of the problems and processes of transformation already started or just planned on the territory (to develop better coordinated and integrated future actions of sustainable local development).


Expected value added (other than financial) from the participation to an INTERREG project

Increase of values as a result of the comparison of the methodologies of analysis applied in various contexts characterized by similar problematic situations. Individuation of best practices cases and creation of potential networks on common projects.


Expected transnational exchange benefit gained from the case

Possibilities of comparison and exchange with areas touched from great events that present similar problematic situations and potentialities.


Output indicators

Involved stakeholders

Involved and operational networks


Impact indicators

Ability to connect to over local networks/projects Consolidation and/or creation of projects of local development


Name of the town/s concerned

Alta Val Chisone (Upper Chisone Valley)
Fenestrelle, Pragelato, Roure, Usseaux

Val Germanasca
Massello, Perrero, Pomaretto, Prali, Salza di Pinerolo


Demographic, social and economic situation of the town/s concerned and specifically identified problems

The demographic tendency of the two valleys shows a substantial reduction of inhabitants during the last 30 years. The Upper Chisone Valley's situation changed from 2.936 inhabitants in 1971 to 2.268 in 2001; the Germanasca Valley's situation decreased from 3.425 inhabitants of 1971 to the 2.315 of 2001. The birth-rate of the Germanasca Valley is the lowest in the Pinerolese (4,88/1000 inhabitants) along with one of the highest death-rate of the area (13,05).

The situation is quite similar for the Upper Chisone Valley with a birth-rate of 6,24/1000 inhabitants and death-rate of 12,82. An indirect confirmation of the aging of the population is given by the composition of the families: single person-families reach nearly the 50% of the whole population in both valleys (50% for Upper Chisone and 48% for the Germanasca Valley). Furthermore, if we add to previous figures the two persons-families present in both valleys, it turns out that the ľ of the families they are composed of one or two members.


Role of the mountain resource within the local development chances of the town/s concerned (positive or negative)

The mountain is a strong tourist attraction thanks to its natural environment and for the historical-cultural characteristics/resources. In addition, mountain agriculture and its products both represent important resources to help mountain territories from depopulation.


Expected contribution of the foreseen actions towards the development of the town/s concerned

Stimulation of networks, projects, guide-ideas


Who is the responsible for the concrete development of the project?

Dipartimento Interateneo Territorio

Consorzio Pracatinat


How are activities sub-contracted? (if it is the case)

Formulation and definition of research methods, supervision, analysis of the results obtained


Beside the partner, which administrative authorities are involved in the project? How?

Mountain Community (Comunitŕ Montana)


Who are the main local/regional project actors?

Mountain Community (Comunitŕ Montana) of Valli Chisone and Germanasca

Municipalities of Roure, Fenestrelle, Usseaux, Pragelato, Pomaretto, Perrero, Prali, Massello and Salza di Pinerolo


The case is isolated or integrated within a broader frame/ programme of activities? How? How are these activities being financed?

The project is developed within an area, the Pinerolese, characterized from a strong "project activism" in particular: the olympic project, the territorial Pact (Patto territoriale), Interreg III, Leader plus, the plan of promotion of the sustainability in the Pinerolese (PPSP).


Timetable for the project development (July 2004 - May 2006)

During the project period (2004-2006) the following important key-tasks will be fulfilled:

  • interviews
  • telephone and face-to-face surveys
  • focus groups
  • maps of the actors
  • SWOT analysis and territorial data
  • Search of best practices

A voluntary agreement among the stakeholders aimed at keeping this participative approachduring every future projects design for Prali


Total cost for the case (Euros)

€ 40.000,00


Are experts (non SSC) involved into the case and research activities undertaken for the case? What is their role?

The ‘Dipartimento Interateneo Territorio' of the University of Turin and the Polytechnic of Turin develop the case study together with the expertise of the Pracatinat Consortium.






e-mail: alpcity@regione.piemonte.it