ISEK4

Four cities, three federal states/provinces, two countries, one region: Integrated Spatial Urban Development Concept for the SOUTH ALPS REGION (ISEK4)

ISEK4 is a cross-border pilot project for the development of a new planning instrument. It addresses two spatial realities that are rarely considered together in the existing planning tools, despite their obvious necessity: the city center and the functional region. In addition to the traditional ISEK approach, ISEK4, within eight months, incorporates the regional symbiosis as a "second" level of action alongside the four city centers - Brunico, Hermagor-Pressegger See, Lienz, and Spittal an der Drau. This approach highlights and utilizes synergies between the city centers as focal points of public life in the region. The pilot project is based on a professionally interdisciplinary approach and was developed in collaboration with steering groups from the cities. Knowledge and needs were collected, documented, and located through various workshop formats.

The project for an integrated city center development concept in a regional context was initiated by the SOUTH ALPS REGION city network (bottom-up approach). The region is exploring new ways of regional collaboration and contributing to the implementation of the EU Leipzig Charter (2007/2020) and the Territorial Agenda 2030 (2020). Key goals of the Austrian Spatial Development Concept 2030 (ÖREK 2030) are being implemented, such as strengthening polycentric structures, planning in functional living spaces, and climate-friendly sustainable spatial development. These challenges can no longer be addressed by city centers alone. Addressing selected issues regionally is not only efficient but also meaningful. One of the fundamental ideas of regional symbiosis is to further develop the city centers according to common regional priorities. Accordingly, seven spatial guiding ideas are formulated in ISEK4 for the SOUTH ALPS REGION. They run through all levels of the concept and are consistently recognizable: in the future visions of the cities, in integrated city center development, in interventions for focus or perspective areas, and in the regional vision. Symbiosis shows how the spatial guiding ideas will shape the SOUTH ALPS REGION in the future.

ISEK is a planning instrument for self-commitment - opening up opportunities for a spatially focused and active shaping of the future of the city center and the entire region. ISEK is an instrument for steering strategic investments with the aim of strengthening inner-city development and the stability of city centers. The significance of regional cooperation is also reflected in the structure and conception of ISEK4: Regional conditions, potentials, and goals are constantly considered in combination with local activities and trends, taking into account existing feedback. The framework of action with overarching fundamental guidelines forms the roof of ISEK4. In city-specific parts, the planning focuses on specific sub-areas of each city. Idea sketches provide impulses for implementation. Regional symbiosis links the four ISEKs of individual cities and elevates them to the regional level. This creates a comprehensive picture for the SOUTH ALPS REGION that is more than, and - in terms of sustainable local and regional development - can achieve more than the sum of the four ISEKs.

ISEK4 actively contributes to soil protection by giving priority to inner development over external development. The use of existing buildings and the coordination of settlement development in connection with sustainable mobility forms play a significant role both within the city and regionally. Urban qualities such as mixed-use or accessibility of river and open spaces ensure a high quality of life in cities and the region. Furthermore, ISEK4 pursues the strategy of bringing commercial uses back from the periphery to the city center. ISEK4 addresses all aspects that contribute to a good life for all generations.

Brochure for download:

• ISEK4_Bericht.pdf