Contenu du sommaire

The mid-altitude mountain areas of Western Europe and rural dynamics. The mid-altitude mountain areas of Europe — which account for the vast majority of all the mountain areas — are finding it difficult to face up to competition from other regions because of increasing production costs. Whatever the activity considered, these areas frequently appear disadvantaged and it is tempting to blame the physical conditions for a situation which in some areas is bordering on crisis. The regional dynamics underlying the situation in mid-altitude mountain areas, however, are extremely varied so that in reality such areas encompass a wide diversity of rural « space ». It is therefore impossible to define a mid-altitude mountain economy or society, even at the scale of a single massif. The very concept of the mid-altitude mountain area is thus brought into question.

The economic situation in the Lagarina valley (Trente province, Italy). The article looks at the economy in an Alpine valley (Val Lagarina), and related problems. The study shows how the local population, which was scattered in the 1960s, has now become concentrated in a few large towns. The land in the peripheral areas has been abandoned and government intervention is now necessary to help the area recover its former balanced economy.

The socio-economic situation in sub alpine Slovenia : between rebirth and decline. The study concerns the mid-altitude mountain areas of Slovenia. It describes the basic geographic characteristics of sub alpine Slovenia, the main constituents of the environment, the economic development of the past century, and present socio-economic problems. The post-war socio-economic development of the communities of Tolmin, Skofja Loka and Litija is then examined in greater detail. The growth of small industrial centres in the 1970s helped slow down emigration from these mountain areas and the survival of the small towns and villages now largely depends on the organisation of mixed farming activities. Demographic growth in all the sub alpine regions of Slovenia has increased in the 1990s.

The opportunities and risks of tourism in the Swiss mid-altitude mountain areas. It is generally accepted that a sound regional tou- rism policy should be based on the principle of a market economy, which is a pre-requisite for the long- term viability of economic activities, and should aim at qualitative growth, respecting as far as possible both the natural and socio-cultural environment. In Switzerland in general, and in the Gruyère region in particular, tourism policy is shaped by three levels of government. At the federal level exists a Swiss concept of tourism (1979), at the level of the cantons, there is legislation concerning the promotion and operation of the tourism sector (1990) and, finally, for the region itself, the planning, development and installation of tourist facilities are the responsibility of an association (1978), set up as part of the LIM system. This association has the advantage of ensuring a more direct and more democratic approach to tourism development. Between 1960 and 1990, regional tourism was one of the factors which contributed to the development of the Gruyère region. However, the results obtained in Gruyère cannot be generalised to every mid-altitude mountain area of Switzerland, or of any other country. Considerable care must be taken in such an exercise. Given the complexity of the factors involved, and their interdependence, it seems advisable to recommend as many communal programmes and measures as possible for such areas and as many specific actions as appear necessary. The mid-altitude mountain areas, which are worthy of separate study, enjoy unique opportunities for tourism development on the one hand, but they are also exposed to special risks.

Preparation of a land-use management policy for the Baronnies region (Drôme department, France) : between a technico-admi- nistrative and community-based approach to management. The paper examines the possibilities open to, and the difficulties facing, a small, Mediterranean mid-altitude mountain region when drawing up its own land-use management policy. In the first part of the study, a regional diagnosis identifies certain environmental and socio-economic problems that justify a land-use management policy. In the second part of the study, the preparation of a local agricultural and environmental management programme illustrates the limits of a technico-administra- tive approach. Such limits appear in terms of the budget allocated and the inability of a sectoral approach in resolving environmental problems which, by their very nature, are complex and involve a wide spectrum of people from the local community. Finally, the study examines the conditions required for the implementation of a community-based or integrated management policy.

The possibility of associating environmental aims with objectives to provide support for agriculture in the mid-altitude mountain areas threatened by decline. On the basis of observations conducted in three French, mid-altitude mountain areas which are facing agricultural decline, the article first examines the reality of the « demand » for environmental goods. Next, the study analyses the ability of local farmers to meet such a demand. The article concludes by considering the possibilities of combining environmental objectives with agricultural and/or rural development objectives and, in particular, of introducing remuneration for environmental management by the agricultural sector.

Agri-business and the mid-altitude mountain areas of France. Today's agri-business sector is having to face up to increasing competition and is undergoing both modernisation and structural and spatial concentration. In this context, the means available in mid- altitude mountain areas have become particularly fragile. A variety of solutions have been adopted (intensification, diversification, sive production, quality products, labels of origin) but they are often inadequate. The article concludes with a typology of French upland production areas.

Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, a mid-altitude mountain town : an example of national solidarity. Saint- Dié-des-Vosges, the main town of the Vosges mountains, is today facing certain problems linked to its history and economic background : an industrial structure which is not sufficiently diversified, demographic decline, a workforce lacking in training and mobility, inefficient research and development. However, the town has benefited from exceptional national solidarity and a general effort aimed at modernisation, upgrading and development which has enabled it to overcome its problems and has set it on the path to recovery.