THIRD REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE ALPS | SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
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Map 22: Population density per available settlement area
© TAPPEINER U., BORSDORF A., TASSER E. (eds) Mapping the Alps, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2008
gradually been adapted to the Alpine environment and are reflected in Alpine crafts, agricultural products, languages, etc. Given the specific characteristics of the Alpine area, local training and research centres should train specialists in subjects that are close to local reality and needs, so that the solutions developed are appropriate for mountain areas. Research should contribute to stimulating technological development in local enterprises. A more Alpine focus on research and education would improve the availability of specialists linked to their own territory and generate the added value of maintaining technicians in the Alpine area. Underlying the statistics pointing to a declining or growing number of inhabitants, or to the structural ageing of the Alpine population, compositional changes can be found. Indeed, many
upland communities are experiencing an influx of new inhabitants, generally younger than the majority of the local population. Most of these “immigrants” are from the lower reaches of the Alps or indeed from the cities in the plains, although quite often they are also from afar (Dislivelli). Although studies are still few and far between, there seems to be evidence that quite often these «new highlanders» are those who are most active in finding ways to revamp local economies. Somewhat paradoxically, these newcomers may also be those who are keenest to defend and revitalize local traditions and cultures and to promote a revival of local craftsmanship as part of a more general attempt to preserve cultural heritage and strengthen local identities. Quite often they are, in a word, those who try to devise and promote «Good practices» in an outside-in approach, in which tradition can blend with creativity.