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Land use, nature conservation and development
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Passer
The Passer – A mountain stream in the focus of interest
Background: Rivers under pressure
Rivers in the Alps are increasingly under pressure. Most mountain streams and rivers are straightened or obstructed by constructions today. The growing expansion of residential areas, the need for secure transport routes and the pressure of land use make intensive protection even more important. The implementation of spacial planning and the planning of danger zones as an instrument of risk protection, however, bear a number of weaknesses. Furthermore, water is increasingly used for energy generation.
At the same time, people often tend to be oblivious of these streams: Rivers, as a component of the environment, are taken for granted; they are 'simply there'. Their function as habitat, as a multifaceted and enriching element of landscape, as coulisse and basis of recreation or simply as a natural element with its own value is not a factor in most people's perception. However, the relevance of these streams cannot be overestimated. This becomes obvious as the areas close to the waters are particularly popular for recreation and leisure activities.
The Passer
The Passer, flowing from Timmelsjoch down to the city of Meran and into the Etsch river, is one of the less disturbed mountain streams, compared with other rivers in South Tyrol. The pressure can be seen to be increasing here also as evidenced by: power station operators, farmers, nature protectionists, cyclists, joggers, pedestrians, people seeking recreation, locals as well as tourists.
Fig.1: The Passer river in the Gilf gorge
Fig. 2: The Passer river: an element of vitality in the center of Meran.
Objective: demonstrating the relevance of the Passer
The objective of the 'Passer-study' is to demonstrate the manifold relevance of the river for the people and the valley. It will investigate the claims made on the use of the river and where their interfaces are.
People's awareness of the Passer shall be raised.
The project intends to identify possibilities to arouse public interest for the river, while protecting its eigenvalue and securing the river basin as natural habitat and living space.
The main focus of the survey is the question of the Passer's relevance for people seeking recreation, for tourists and locals, within Meran and the outlying areas.
Methods – spatial and socio-spatial investigations
The study consists of four steps:
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Inventory taking: Identification and description of the spatial conditions and patterns of use of the river basin.
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Analysis of visitors' behaviour: interviews with people seeking recreation along the river and the observation of their behaviour aim to shed light on possible conflicts and the recreational potential of the area.
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Interviews with representatives: representatives of concerned interest groups are being interviewed. Which relevance do they ascribe to the river? Which claims and interests are made towards the Passer? Where do conflicts arise?
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Expert interviews: experts are consulted in order to collect information about the development of the river basin, as well as 'specialist' opinions about the Passer.
Fig. 3: Mareike Thies and Anna-Sophie Wurr in the survey work
Passer_Nutzungsspuren.JPG
PasserSteine_PasserWasser.JPG
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The Passer study is conducted in cooperation of the EURAC with the Leibniz University Hannover (Germany) within a student project by Anna-Sophie Wurr and Mareike Thies. The project is supervised by Professor Dr. Bettina Oppermann, Department for Open Space Planning and Sociology of Planning (Leibniz University of Hannover) and Flavio V. Ruffini, Director of the Institute for Regional Development and Location Management.
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The student exchange was supported by the EU programme
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