Workshop “Spatial Development and Land Use in Balderschwang”

On 11 March 2026, a workshop was held in Balderschwang as part of the EU project BrokeringSpaces. The aim of the event was to jointly discuss key challenges and perspectives for land use in the municipality together with representatives of the outgoing and newly elected municipal council, as well as experts from the district administration, spatial planning and public administration. Around 20 participants attended the workshop. The event also served to support the transition between municipal council terms and to develop a shared understanding of future priorities for local development.

At the beginning of the workshop, the BrokeringSpaces project and its objectives were introduced. The project supports municipalities in the Alpine region in identifying conflicts in land use at an early stage and addressing them constructively. In Alpine regions in particular, limited land resources mean that different interests – such as housing, agriculture, tourism, commerce and nature conservation – compete for the same space. Climate change further intensifies these conflicts, for example through the increasing need for space for renewable energy infrastructure, ecosystem services and protective measures. The project therefore aims to help municipalities develop sustainable strategies for land use and to reduce land consumption (“negotiating land rather than sealing it”).

A professional input from LARS Consult examined the spatial characteristics of Balderschwang and possible planning instruments available to the municipality. Balderschwang lies in the Balderschwang high valley at around 1,044 metres above sea level and is characterised by a strongly linear settlement structure along the district road. A clearly defined village centre is not present; instead, several smaller settlement clusters are located along the road corridor. The local topography, numerous protected areas, geological risks and competing land uses represent major constraints for further settlement development. In addition, spatial planning regulations and building law requirements – such as the requirement to connect new development to existing settlement areas and the different legal frameworks for development inside and outside built-up areas – play an important role.

At the same time, it was emphasised that the high landscape quality of the valley requires particular attention to architectural design and building quality. Because the landscape is very open and most buildings are clearly visible from many viewpoints, structural changes have a strong impact on the character of the village and the surrounding landscape. Consequently, aspects such as building volume, materials and the preservation of regional building traditions are especially important for future development.

A further presentation highlighted the natural characteristics of the municipality. Balderschwang lies entirely within the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park and is characterised by exceptionally high ecological value. Numerous protection designations – including Natura 2000 areas, nature reserves, landscape protection areas and legally protected biotopes – shape the surrounding environment. This unique natural and cultural landscape, which has developed through traditional alpine farming practices, is home to a wide range of rare animal and plant species. As a result, there is a particular responsibility to ensure that future development takes place in a sustainable and environmentally sensitive manner.

During the subsequent workshop session, participants discussed key questions regarding future land use in two groups. One group focused on local development and housing, while the other addressed tourism, agriculture and commercial activities. In both groups, participants identified a number of challenges as well as possible approaches for future development.

In the discussion on housing and local development, it became clear that additional housing opportunities are needed, particularly for local residents and employees working in the area. At the same time, potential conflicts between residential development, commercial uses and infrastructure were highlighted, for example due to noise emissions or access and transport issues. Given the limited availability of land, participants emphasised the importance of making better use of existing building stock, for example through the conversion of existing buildings or the reuse of vacant farmhouses. Questions relating to technical infrastructure – such as water supply, wastewater management and the capacity of the sewage treatment plant – were also identified as key factors influencing potential settlement development.

In the discussion on tourism, agriculture and commerce, a range of perspectives were raised. These included the possible further development of tourism infrastructure and the potential for new uses of existing facilities, for example increased summer use of ski lift infrastructure. At the same time, conflicts between tourism activities and nature conservation were discussed, particularly in relation to sensitive habitats of species such as grouse. Targeted visitor management was suggested as one possible approach to balancing recreational use with nature protection. Participants also discussed the development of complementary facilities, such as nature information centres, leisure areas or outdoor recreation opportunities.

Agricultural development was another topic of discussion. Participants highlighted the importance of stronger municipal involvement in certain construction projects related to agriculture and emphasised the need for ongoing dialogue between agriculture and nature conservation interests. Overall, it became clear that decisions about future development are closely linked to infrastructural capacities, including population numbers, tourism intensity and the availability of water and wastewater infrastructure.

The workshop demonstrated that future spatial development in Balderschwang requires careful balancing of different interests. At the same time, there was a strong shared commitment among participants to preserve the municipality’s high quality of life and its outstanding landscape. The results of the workshop will feed into the further work of the BrokeringSpaces project and will contribute to the development of a building guideline (“Baufibel”) for Balderschwang, which will define objectives and guiding principles for local development and building quality in the municipality.