The Alps, also called the ‘water tower’ of Europe, are one of the biggest freshwater reserves of the continent, extending over seven countries. However, due to climate change, resulting in melting glaciers and more frequent dry periods, the availability of fresh water is seasonally changing and overall, decreasing in the future. This conflicts not only with the growing demand provoked by ongoing urbanization processes in and around the Alpine Arc, but also a rising interest in economic sectors like tourism and hydro power. This project proposes a new interplay between pre- and inner-alpine areas by giving particular consideration to the natural environment. It seeks to coordinate the use for water as a resource under the framework of institutional thickness. Thereby it explores national planning cultures, existing cooperation programmes and the added value of a macro-regional strategy for the integral management of hydraulic resources in the alpine context. Finally, a seasonal development strategy in a case study region is designed as a possible translation of a macro-regional strategy into space.

The AMA region wants to make the transition towards a circular economy. To make the circular economy happen, social, environmental and economic challenges have to be integrated in the transition. This report will identify these challenges and propose a vision, a development strategy and projects/policies to propose a new system in the sector where most of these challenges come together: the agrifood sector. The agrifood sector being one of the most polluting sectors in the world plays a key role in a circular economy. The project uses the circular economy as a tool to establish normative change in the case of the imbalanced agrifood sector. The development strategy of the project provides a framework for a future circular economy in a fairer agrifood sector. The framework encompasses localising the food network and creating a local circularity in the flows of energy, water, heat, fodder, CO2 circulation and organic material. This localisation aims to create jobs for the low to middle educated people that are struck by socio-spatial polarization. It also suggests new ways of protein production and of the usage of peatlands. The conclusion is that, while already a big portion of the circular economy can be realised, more research is needed to be able to make the circular economy happen in the agrifood sector. To balance the sector, it has to be deconcentrated and localised. This localisation is essentially a modern form of the traditional sector from the 18th and 19th century. Therefore it’s called an agronomic renaissance. Due to the traditional nature of the sector, institutional change has to happen, which can only be achieved by a long term strategy, strong policy and a periodical review. Giving the sector guidance and a perspective is important to instigate the change needed for a circular agrifood system that also accounts for the social, environmental and economic challenges mentioned. This project gives a possible direction for this long term perspective.