4th International Symposium on Small Towns 20 - 22 September 2007 A - St. Veit/Glan Organisation: STAMA Veranstaltungs- und Stadtmarketing GmbH

In Cooperation with

Invitation European Council of the Village and Small Town

University of Agriculture, Vienna

4th Small Town Symposium St. Veit/Glan, Carinthia – (AUT) – 20 – 22 September 2007

_______________________________________________________________________________ The Idea Everybody knows small towns. They are an essential part of the European culture and identity. They often originate far back in history, in medieval times or beyond. Small towns have been the subject of the previous symposia, Murau 1998, Waidhofen a.d. Ybbs 2002 and Retz 2005, the later jointly with SEEDA (the South East England Development Agency) as a partner. These events from the very beginning tried to bridge the gaps in the public awareness between the rural regions (landscapes) and the urban regions (townscapes). Through joining various partners of different but complementary approaches an international economic, ecologic, cultural and politic platform or “think tank” will be established. The term “town development in and for Rural Europe” is more relevant than ever. From policy and administration as well from the economic perspective (trade, development etc.) recently strong indications pointing towards new and sustainable ways of developing (historic) town centres have emerged. The initiative “Netz.Werk.Stadt” , with its panel of experts is supporting and co-ordinating these efforts at the national level. On the European level, ECOVAST International supplements the topic with a scientifically based approach. In this sense, town development is always seen and connected with the development of the surrounding rural regions, the towns “hinterland” in the sense of a Europe of Regions and territorial cohesion. This “cohesion with the hinterland” will be illustrated on the excursion of Thursday, 20 September, thus facilitating an atmospheric introduction to the “indoor programme” of Friday and Saturday. The organisers and partners of the conference are aiming to intensify public and governmental awareness of town development in rural Europe by increasing professional discussion and spreading know how. The same goal is aspired by the “ASSET Project” (Action to Strengthen Small European Towns) of ECOVAST International and its partners. The “4th Small Town Symposium” emphasises the importance of our (historic) small towns with their opportunities and strategies for the 21stcentury. A comprehensive dialogue and exchange of expertise on the topic “Small Town Development in Rural Europe” in the sense of “co-operating and learning from each other” will gain a new momentum.

1

4th Small Town Symposium St. Veit/Glan, Carinthia – (AUT) – 20 – 22 September 2007

_______________________________________________________________________________ Conference partners

ECOVAST - European Council for the Village and Small Town ECOVAST is a European body committed to enhancing the quality of life in rural Europe. The organisation supports the co-operation between its members and national sections and the exchange of experience (best practice) on behalf of the sustainable development of rural regions, especially in disadvantaged areas of Central and Eastern Europe. ECOVAST was founded in 1984 to safeguard the cultural and natural heritage throughout rural Europe. The Austrian section was founded in 1998 on the occasion of the “1st Symposium on Small Towns” in Murau, Styria, resulting in the “Charter of Murau”. ECOVAST has more than 500 members in many European states including Russia, comprising people of the civil society and governmental and non governmental organisations. ECOVAST also has consultative status at the Council of Europe and a seat on the committee for Rural Development of the European Commission. For detailed information see internet: www.ecovast.org

IRUB The Institute of Spatial Planning and Rural Development is involved in basic and practically oriented research in the fields of spatial planning, environmental planning, rural development, regional governance, natural disaster risk management and socioeconomic changes relevant to spatial planning. Research activities comprise basic research oriented scientific projects, practically oriented surveys and expertise in the fields mentioned above. Furthermore we highlight up to date issues with relevance to spatial planning within, doctoral and master theses as well as publications. For detailed information see internet: www.rali.boku.ac.at

NETZ.WERK.STADT This pool of experts for successful revitalisation of village and town centres in Austria follow the strategy of “best practice”, and examples of tried and tested concepts. These are central elements of the actions of the initiative NETZ.WERK.STADT (NET.WORK.TOWN). This initiative for the revitalisation of town centres is an open platform of experts comprising various disciplines like spatial planning, structural analysis, architecture, marketing, media technical processing and others. NETZ.WERK.STADT beside other events organises the “Austrian Symposium on Town Centres”. This annual event has developed into a leading business meeting area for the subject of revitalisation of village and town centres. For detailed information see internet: www.netzwerkstadt.net 2

4th Small Town Symposium St. Veit/Glan, Carinthia – (AUT) – 20 – 22 September 2007

_______________________________________________________________________________ Programme (There may be changes to the programme)

Poster Presentation on the subjects of the social evening and the Saturday presentation of networks throughout the whole symposium

Wednesday, 19 September 2007 19:00 – 20:00

Arrival and registration in the conference hotel Fuchspalast (Fuchs Palast – Prof. Ernst-Fuchs-Platz 1 – 9300 St.Veit/Glan)

20:30 – 21:15

Informal introduction with slides in English Mr. Arthur. Spiegler,(AUT) ECOVAST AUSTRIA and INTERNATIONAL

Thursday, 20 September 2007 Full day excursion into the town and to the hinterland 09:00 – 10:00

Guided tour through the town St. Veit/Glan (in English and German) Excursion lead by Mr. Arthur Spiegler, ECOVAST

10:00 10:00 – 13:00

Bus departure from the conference hotel Fuchspalast Bus tour to characteristic Carinthian farms, the Castle of Hochosterwitz (30´ascend by foot or lift), Magdalensberg (archaeological site and view-point onto Carinthia), monastery St. George at the Längsee

13:00

Regional Lunch on the Magdalensberg (á la carte)

14:30 – 18:00

To the “Herzogstuhl” (the “Count´s Chair”) and other places Return to the hotel approx. 18:00

19:30 - 21:30

Social evening and presentation of “Jewels of Small Towns of theDanubeAlpine-Adriatic-Region”; Venue: The courtyard of the town hall - regional music and food Moderation: Mr. Günther Ziesel,(ORF)

Conference languages: German, English; simultaneous translation on Friday and Saturday Conference moderation: Ronald Barazon, (AUT)

Friday, 21 September 2007 “Conditions and Visions - Symposium of Town Centres “ 08:00 – 09:00

Further registrations at the conference hotel

3

4th Small Town Symposium St. Veit/Glan, Carinthia – (AUT) – 20 – 22 September 2007

_______________________________________________________________________________ 09:00 – 09:30

Welcome: Greetings from the Mayor Mr. Mock, the Province of Carinthia, the Federal Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Board of Towns, of Villages and ECOVAST International

09:30 – 09:50

“NETZ.WERK.STADT – the platform of themes and information on the complex nature of towns” Mr. Stephan Mayer-Heinisch, (AUT) Head of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce

09:50 – 10:10

“St. Veit – a small town but a great example” Mr. Gerhard Mock ,(AUT) Representative of the Province and Mayor of St. Veit

10:10 – 10:30

“Small towns in an European view” Mr. Alexander Ferstl, (GER) Head Office of Regional Policy in Europe EU-Commission Bruxelles Discussion

10:40 – 11:10

Coffee break

11:10 – 11:40

“Small towns and rural regions – Austrian perspectives within the international arena” Mr. Wilhelm Molterer* ,(AUT) Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Austria

11:40 – 12:00”

Constructing for commerce, service, administration and production – European examples” Mr. Christoph Achammer*, (AUT) Technical University of Vienna

12:00 – 12:20

“Regionext” – new regional developments and related developments of centres in Styria” Mr. Gunther Hasewend, (AUT) director of the board of construction, Styria Discussion

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch buffet

14:00 – 14:20

“Town development is brand development” Ms. Helene Karmasin, (AUT) Research Institute of Motives

14:20 – 14:40

“The golden mile of the small town Horn – stronghold for the woodland region in Lower Austria” Mr. Thomas Kronsteiner, (AUT) Promoter of shopping malls and centres

14:40 – 15:00

“Town centre development of the Upper Old Town in Lienz” The winner of the European Enterprise Award Mr. Oskar Januschke, (AUT) director of town marketing, Lienz, Tyrol Discussion

15:10-15:40

Tea break

15:40 – 16:00

“New approaches in the planning of small towns and regions” Mr Arnold Klotz* (AUT) Institute of Town and Spatial planning,; University of Innsbruck, Tyrol

* requested

4

4th Small Town Symposium St. Veit/Glan, Carinthia – (AUT) – 20 – 22 September 2007

_______________________________________________________________________________ 16:00 – 16:20

“Basic issues on small towns and their regions” Mr. A. Spiegler, (AUT) Geographer, ECOVAST Austria Discussion

16:30 – 16:50

Summing up the day, conclusions Mr. Ronald Barazon and Mr. Stephan Mayer-Heinisch (AUT)

19:30

Dinner à la carte at the conference hotel Fuchspalast

Saturday, 22 September 2007 “Strategies for Solutions and Best Practice” 09:00 – 09:20

“Why small is beautiful - New Options for small towns” Mr. Franz Nahrada, (AUT) Chairman of ECOVAST Austria and of the GIVE research group

09:20 – 09:40

“Small towns as strongholds of hope for sustainable rural development” Ms. Gerlind Weber (AUT), University of Agriculture, Vienna, Dept. of Spatial Planning and Rural Development

09:40 – 10:10

“Presentation of the ASSET-Project” (Action Strategies for Small European Towns) Ms. Valerie Carter, (GBR) Rural Sector Director of SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) Discussion

10:20 – 10:50

Coffee break

10:50 – 12:20

“Town- and other networks and their benefits” Comments on the poster presentation and developments in different regions: RECEVIN - wine towns WALLED TOWNS DOUZELAGE - town twinning CITTASLOW - “slow” towns CLUB 49 - rural broadband initiative CROATIA - development in the small town movement IBERIAN PENINSULA - development in the small town movement Discussion

12:40 – 13:00

Summing up the conference Mr. Michael Dower, (GBR) University of Gloucestershire

13:00 – 13:20

Perspectives for the future – predictions of the conference moderator End of the conference

14:00

Lunch à la carte Departure and transfers

5

4th Small Town Symposium St. Veit/Glan, Carinthia – (AUT) – 20 – 22 September 2007

_______________________________________________________________________________ Address for registration: STAMA Veranstaltungs- und Stadtmarketing St. Veit/Glan Mag. Ulf Six Hauptplatz 23 A - 9300 St. Veit/Glan Phone: 043/(0)4212-288 80-6921 Fax.: 0043/(0)4212-288 80-6920 E-mail: [email protected] www.stveit.carinthia.at

Further Contact Addresses ECOVAST Dr. Arthur Spiegler Pötzleinsdorfer Straße 34 A - 1180 Vienna Phone: 0043/(0)1-479 78 35 E-mail: [email protected] www.ecovast.org

IRUB/BOKU Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Gerlind Weber Peter Jordan Str. 82 A - 1190 Vienna Phone: 0043/(0)1-47654-5352 E-mail: [email protected] www.rali.boku.ac.at

NETZ.WERK.STADT Hans E. Draxler and Partners Semmering Nr.311 A - 2680 Semmering Mobile :0043 (0)676/531 00 88 Phone: 0043 /(0)2664-2689 E-mail: [email protected] www.netzwerkstadt.net

Registration: see second attachment. Important information for registration: People, that would like to attend, announce at STAMA and will receive in retourn further informations and the conditions for payment.

6