Abstract
In the Alpine Space, peripheral located regions have to deal increasingly with spatial inequalities accompanied with lacking provisions of service of general interests (SGI). Thus, this paper targets to find out possible integrated solutions to prevent the loss of these services in the upcoming years. Two factors condition the provision of SGI in these regions: the limited profit opportunities for private providers and the changing demographic structure. These factors in turn influence the future SGI demand and require a general overhaul of the delivery arrangements for the next decades.
Based on the spatial allocation of single settlements within municipalities, this article provides the first time an accessibility analysis of SGI in nine different Alpine Space test areas. Furthermore, it reflects the perception from the considered peripheral mountain regions in the Alpine Space, which was captured in workshops and qualitative interviews. This detailed survey reveals the current situation of service provision. Subsequently, the work includes a demographic forecast that reveals the changing demographic structure. As such, results shed light on disparities of accessibility to basic services at the local level. For the future, these results confirm the assumption of an ageing society but refutes the one of the general population-decline. In combination with the qualitative investigation, it was possible to reveal some influencing factors for the service provision.