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For plenty years, many popular mountain resorts have seen largely uncontrolled development consisting of the multiplication of archetypal chalet-style houses. This is usually accompanied by roadbuilding for private cars.
In order to protect these tourist destinations and their natural environs from further uncontrolled development, the author investigates different settlement structures such as Andermatt, Avoriaz, Verbier, Zermatt,and Whistler-Blackcomb. On the basis of detailed graphical analyses, she develops groundbreaking strategies for urban densification and suitable mobility management, which can also be transferred to other tourist areas.
Pages: 192
Language: English
19 × 28 cm
125 col. ill., 155 coloured maps
Publication: 14 Jan 2019
ISBN 978-3-0356-1719-1
Publication: 14 Jan 2019
ISBN 978-3-0356-1733-7
Dr.-Ing. Fiona Pia, architect at Fiona Pia Architectes and scientist at the EPF Lausanne
"The challenges society faces from urbanisation have been increasingly well documented, as have the benefits of building at higher densities. Indeed, the need for places to continue to adapt whilst giving more space to people walking and reducing our reliance on cars is widely accepted; the question now is how best to achieve this. Urbanizing the Alps picks up on this, framing the conversation directly around the unique challenges facing Alpine towns, giving the discussion another angle that is both interesting and informative. A research-led study, the book dives into the complexities and growth of Alpine communities, taking into account the unique climate, topography and seasonal tourism associated with them."
Jack Pritchard in: urban Design 151 (2019), 48