Sustainable Land Use: Smart Solutions for Rural Areas

Given the limited settlement space in South Tyrol, a sustainable approach to land consumption is essential. Plattform Land is therefore actively committed to promoting intelligent land use in order to reduce landscape consumption while maintaining quality of life in rural areas.

The principle “Old before New” is central to this approach: existing infrastructure and vacant buildings should be prioritized for use and development before new land is sealed.

A key goal is to reduce land consumption through innovative, site-specific solutions. This also includes the development of a land-use monitoring system that systematically records developments and supports decision-making processes. This initiative is complemented by the demand for a legal framework that ensures intelligent land use is considered and made binding in all land-effective measures.

Initiatives and Projects by Plattform Land on Smart Land Use:

• Brokering Spaces – Spatial Planning in the Alpine Region: Sustainable solutions for the future. New approaches for space-saving and climate-friendly planning.
• Land De-Sealing in the Alpine Region: Paths to sustainable spatial planning. Green cities and living soils: Municipal measures for a climate-friendly future.
• SUSMAT (Sustainable Materials): Sustainable construction and renovation in South Tyrol. Promoting ecological renovation of vacant buildings and sustainable resource management in three municipalities.
• Vacancy Management: Promoting sustainable development and densification. Increase the attractiveness of municipalities and reduce land consumption.
• SHELTER: Renovation of historic rural buildings in the cross-border area between Italy and Austria. Promoting the preservation of cultural heritage through sustainable renovation concepts and active community involvement.
• Impuls4Action: Sustainable development and land protection in the Alps. Innovative tools for water management, inner development, and peatland protection.

New Structure for Greater Impact

In 2016, Plattform Land established an expert advisory board on intelligent land use, composed of international experts. This board has actively supported the platform in project development, the memorandum, and conferences.

To further enhance effectiveness and efficiency, the two expert advisory boards “Intelligent Land Use” and “Rural Areas” were merged in April 2025. The new advisory board, made up of seven experienced experts, will continue to strengthen the strategic development of Plattform Land and bring together interdisciplinary perspectives.