Case study: Project ECOPROFIT

Comparison of Czech and Austrian approach to SD with the focus on stakeholders in the Ústí Region and in the Styria

Introduction

In the week from 10th to 15th September the group of fifteen Czech students has attended of sustainability field trips to the province of Styria in Austria organized by the Charles University Environment Centre as part of the MOSUR project. The field trip has been focused on the sustainable development in Austria, especially in city of Graz and on the province of Styria. We have met with different stakeholders of sustainable development in this region. We have had opportunities the comparison of Czech and Austrian approach to sustainable development. We focus in this presentation on the comparison of stakeholders in the Ústí Region (Ústecký kraj) and in the province of Styria. Some approaches from Styria can be apply to our region.

Facts

Ústí region

Population (2011): 826 000:, Area (km2): 5335, Economic growth (%, 2011): 6,63

Styria

Population (2011):1,21 mil., Area (km2):16400, Economic growth (%, 2011): 3,9

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In Ústecký kraj we can use local sources. This area is known only for coal mining. Tourism in Ústecký kraj is one of the lowest in the Czech republic. Therefore, in our project, we expect an increase a tourism. The first step is to no-breach coal mining limits and revitalization of demaged areas. The question of breaching of mining limits and of damage next villages brings the uncertainty. People in towns dont renovate their houses and houses break up.

The second step will be to improve the lack of advertising for the Ústí region – there are many beautiful castles (Střekov in Ústí nad Labem, Hasištejn near Prunéřov, Děčín, Libočany near Žatec, Jezeří and Červený Hrádek near Most), National park Bohemian Schwitzerland, Landscape park Central Bohemian Uplands, Nature Park Ore Mountains, interesting lookout towers (Děčínský Sněžník, Klínovec) and many other sights. As a model we can use the Austrian Zotter chocolate factory, Gölles – producer of bio-vinegard and schnaps or private hotel with microbrewery.

To improve sustainable develepement in our region we propose several solutions:

1) PR Unfortunately many people don´t know about our national parks and protected areas. We propose the model of the Austrian national parks promotion on workshops, fairs and exhibitions in all major cities in region.

2) Local sources In our republic there are several well-known producers of vinegard - the most well-known is vinegard from Bzenec which was founded in 1921 (South Moravia). The second is vinegard from Úsobí (from region Vysočina) which was founded in 1994 and third is vinegard from Jindřichův Hradec - Fruko Schulz (South Bohemia). But this producers don´t offer organic vinegard. Many people want to buy and consume products made in our republic, but the market is glutted with products from abroad. The question is ´Why?´. Climatic and geography conditions offer a wide variety of food that we can grow, breed and produce. Our project is based on raw local materials. For example in the district Žernoseky we can find sprawling vineyards. So in this area would be appropriate to build family hotels. In hotels (or guesthouses) would offer products from local sources, such as wine, home-made honey products, bio-vinegard. Similar situation could be near the city Most (there are vineyards on rekultivated areas – hills Špičák and Hněvín). Products from those areas would be available only for the Czech market.

Another option is built eco-farms with sales of home-made ecological products. In Ústí region we can find several eco-farms, but there is no advertising. There is absence cooperation between farms, so they could start to cooperate and create a network with eco-products. In Ore Mountains there are good conditions to found new eco-farms. Most hotels and guesthouses offers modern facillites with modern comfort. Hotels can be built in an unusual style to attract turist. For example in region Žatecko hotel with microbrewery, interior of the hotel could respond village cottage from 19th century.

Sources

• Sustainable development in Austria an overview, Marlene Mader, RCE Graz-Styria, University of Graz, File: http://vcsewiki.czp.cuni.cz/wiki/File:Sustainability_Process_University_of_Graz.pptx
• Basic trends of demographic, economic, social, and economic development in the Ústí Region 2011, Czech statistical office (CZSO), Regional Administration CZSO in Usti nad Labem, link [In czech: