Depopulation, the increase in tourists and traffic, creating jobs and much more were the topics at the Future of Abländschen workshop.

Shaping the future seems to be necessary in Abländschen. Populated by 130 people in the 1950s, now it is down to only 39 inhabitants.

“During Corona, there were many more visitors who spent time in the mountains and in nature,” says Philipp Becker, head of infrastructure. This has led to undesirable parking situations and more traffic as the pass road has become increasingly popular in recent years. Instead of discussing the individual problem areas separately, the municipality decided to set up a core group and make an assessment together with the interested parties. 50 people attended – that is more then there are inhabitants of Abländschen.

One measure alone is not enough
In addition to the promotion of primary residences, the infrastructure in the areas of mobile telephony, internet, traffic routes, traffic management and above all public transport must be expanded. And the creation of jobs outside agriculture and the hospitality industry must also be prioritised.

The suggestions of the workshop participants were divided into realisable projects, utopias and visions. Top of the list was the imminent ones as improving the parking situation on the Mittelberg and the increased need for public transport.

BASED ON AVS/BLANCA BURRI