The InTerAlp project zooms into a number of relevant case studies to examine specific interface regions in more detail. These cases serve to provide an in-depth exploration of different regional settings. The selection of case study regions covers a wide range of geographical locations and territorial characteristics. In general, interface territories are spread all across the Alps – some are more urbanised, others are predominately rural. There are interface territories with cross-border characteristics, and some are directly linked to national capitals.

Alpine interface territories link mountainous and inner-Alpine areas with pre-Alpine lowlands and, thus, are a very specific territorial type: Highly dynamic flows and interdependencies as well as controversial stakeholder interests meet in a rather limited spatial framework. Organising sustainable spatial development in this geographical context is a challenge. These challenges extend beyond administrative boundaries and require pan-Alpine strategies and cross-border spatial planning and development instruments.

As part of the European Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 aims to protect nature and to reverse the degradation of ecosystems (European Commission, 2020). This strategy states that ‘… nature is in a state of crisis’ and land take is among the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss. All EU Member States and partner states experience problems with increasing pressure on soil and land, and research has shown that more than 60 % of EU soils are in an unhealthy state.

The primary goal of the “Putting Clean Energy Transition Policies into Practice in Central Europe” (CleanEnergy4CE) analysis is to provide high-quality research on the practical implementation of clean energy transition policies.

In this short leaflet, we share some interesting preliminary results of the project: