Cross-border spatial planning

The Alpine Convention is an international agreement between the Alpine countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Switzerland and Slovenia) and the EU for the sustainable development and protection of the Alps.

The Alps, with their biodiversity, water and timber reserves, are a natural, cultural, living and economic space for nearly 14 million people and an attractive tourist destination for about 120 million guests annually.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein regularly award the "International Prize for Sustainable Renovation and Construction in the Alps, Constructive Alps." The University of Liechtenstein supports the jury in the examination of the objects. The International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, CIPRA, provides technical and organizational support for "Constructive Alps".

Further information can be found at the following link.

Interreg is a regional program of the European Union for the promotion of cross-border cooperation, in which non-EU countries can also participate. Funding from the EU is supplemented by state funds from Switzerland and contributions from the Principality of Liechtenstein. The goals of the program are increased competitiveness, innovation, employment and education. At the same time, environmental, energy and transport issues are addressed. An additional focus is on research and innovation, more energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energies. Furthermore, the common natural and cultural heritage, especially along Lake Constance and the Rhine, is to become even more attractive.

Further information can be found at the following Link 

Unspoilt nature and some of the economically strongest regions in Europe lie close together in the Alpine Space. Increasing the attractiveness and competitiveness of the entire Alpine region through joint activities is an overarching goal of the Alpine Space Program. The program brings together actors from different thematic sectors and different levels of political action from the seven Alpine states. And it does so precisely in those thematic fields where transnational cooperation is needed for sustainable solutions and sustainable regional development. Partners work together in projects to address common challenges, exchange ideas, test and implement them. They share their experience and knowledge with the aim of improving the quality of life of 66 million people in a unique region.

More information can be found at the following link 

The Spatial Observation Network European observation network for territorial development and cohesion (ESPON) includes not only the EU member states but also bordering countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The aim of ESPON is to establish a permanent system of spatial observation of the European territory. Switzerland represents Liechtenstein (Office of Structural Engineering and Spatial Planning) as the national contact point. The new program phase (ESPON 2020) was officially launched at the end of 2015 with a call for proposals.

With ESPON, an international spatial development network is being established that will last in the long term and facilitate valuable professional contacts. Last but not least, active participation will ensure that Liechtenstein data will flow into European studies. This enables large-scale international comparisons for many spatial development indicators for the first time.

Further information can be found at the following Link 

With the Macroregional Strategy for the Alpine Space (EUSALP) a new transnational instrument has been introduced. Macro-regional strategies are European Union (EU) cohesion and structural policy instruments that address the challenges of specific geographical areas in order to contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion within these areas.

The Macro-Regional Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) aims to strengthen cooperation between regions and countries in the Alps. Liechtenstein participates in the work of the Macroregional Strategy for the Alpine Space.

Further information can be found at the following link 

The IBK promotes a common spatial development in the Lake Constance region in close cooperation with the Regional Planning Commission Lake Constance (ROK-B). The aim is to use land resources sparingly and to secure them permanently. In the case of conflicting goals, the principle of sustainable development must be observed. The Lake Constance region is a natural and cultural landscape of outstanding importance. The spatial resources must therefore be used sparingly and the different spatial needs for living, housing, transport, economy, work and recreation must be considered in a balanced way. One of IBK's concerns is the strengthening of rural areas. Development in the sensitive shoreline area is the subject of coordination between IBK, the ROK-B and the International Water Protection Commission for Lake Constance (IGKB). The IBK supports the positioning of the region as the European Integration Area of Lake Constance.

More information can be found at the following Link 

On behalf of the spatial planning departments of the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Canton of St. Gallen, the Canton of Graubünden and the Province of Vorarlberg, the spatial development of the Alpine Rhine Valley was subjected to a cross-border analysis. It is shown that the diminishing importance of national borders will require new forms of cooperation in the future in order to exploit the potential of the region, which has about 450,000 inhabitants. The prerequisite for this is an increased awareness of the Alpine Rhine Valley as a European agglomeration and the promotion of joint cross-border projects. The reference to the Werdenberg-Liechtenstein agglomeration program can be found here.