Sustainable development of mountain regions is the focus of the Institute for Regional Development and Location Management. Some 40 percent of Europe's total area is mountainous. As natural and cultural spaces, they decisively shape our environment while at the same time fulfill important functions as locations for living and working as well as tourism.

The Institute for Regional Development and Location  Management looks for solutions for the sustainable use  of European mountain regions. Central topics include traffic, agriculture, tourism and protection of the natural environment. The Institute wants to improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development in mountain areas. Product development and marketing strategies play a large role in achieving this goal.

The basis of the Institute's research is the interrelation between human activities in the area and their effects on society and the environment. The central measure is humankind as beneficiary, originator and bystander of regional development. The Institute thus co-operates closely with other research institutions and universities, international organizations, local authorities, industrial representatives and the population concerned.

The Institute for Regional Development and Location Management is working in the following research fields:

• Development of mountain regions
• Transport, space, environment and development
• Land use, conservation and development
• Focal point of the Autonomous Province of Bozen for the "Consulta Stato Regioni dell'Arco alpino"
• Destination management
• Ski area management
• Guest satisfaction and behaviour