Arnoldstein a small town with around 7.000 inhabitants is located in the Gail valley in the federal state of Carinthia / Austria. Arnoldstein lies at the three-country triangle with Italy and Slovenia. The place had an eventful history related even to a natural disaster in the Middle Ages and environment pollution through lead manufacturing, that lasted more than hundred years, from the end of the 19th to the end of the 20th century. Arnoldstein had always been a place of transit, the ‘doorway to the south’ is related to the morphological build up of the place. These factors gave the place its face and the residents their identity.
Arnoldstein is a place of industry. After the environmental pollution scandal in the 1990s a recultivation of the industry site started, it became an industry park, the BBU got split up in side companies and others moved to the industry park which focus became recycling. Arnoldstein is the location for the waste incineration for the whole federal state. 80.000m2 area is still available for companies. There are possibilities to make the industrial site to a recycling cluster.
The border situation was always a factor for a collaboration with-, but also for segregation towards another, a typical appearance in border towns. Arnoldstein were always crossed by traffic to Italy, before the motorway got built in the 1980s. A whole business segment for transients worked well and had impact in how the place was built, the motorway brought more silence to Arnoldstein which can be seen as curse and blessing. Even though the village has grown over the last three decades to a multi-layered settlement area, it’s recognizable that Arnoldstein is a former street village. The street and also the railway cut through the village and this leaves the town in layers, each of it has it’s own functionality.
The landslide of the mountain Dobratsch caused an area called ‘Schütt’ which means ‘spilt’, in the north of Arnoldstein. The Schütt is rich and unique in flora and fauna. It is now part of a protected area and is getting more and more to a magnet for visitors. Furthermore is Arnoldstein a place of winter tourism, the Dreiländereck is a small ski resort, but the winters getting poorer with snow and alternatives need to be developed.
Arnoldstein is looking rigid to the future. There are more possibilities to create a successful future for the place. This includes industrialization and sustainable tourism in north and south. Two strategies that could not be more different! This striking contrast results in tension among Arnoldstein residents. Tension between extremes is a fact, which brings the past directly to the future. It is like the landscape – which pushes the town between two mountains and mirrors the place’s human behavior and identity. But does on one hand industrialization and on the other sustainable tourism mean that one thing rule out the other?
That is a question in which I deal in my blog, so have a look!
Sense of Place 
I enjoyed your blog post! i found it very comparison of the societal issues and the landscape very interesting and creative. I am afraid I do not not much about Austria or the geography but just by reading your post on Arnoldstein I have now have a sense of it, not only visually but what is happening in the current events there. Living in Monterey, California I have experienced what it is like to be an a place where they rely on tourism as an economic base. I understand why Arnoldstein would want to have a sustainable tourism activity because of the finances it brings in but I also understand why local residents like to go about their daily lives without the commotion and stressors that tourism may bring.
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Thanks for your comment! I see “place” or “space” in a philosophical way; Every place is unique and has it’s own entity. But structuring it in the way like humans do, is giving the place somehow an identity. Men and place involve each other and validate themselves in how they “get constructed”. This is also what I mean with “mirror”.
Very interesting, you are from Monterey! I was reading “The Death and Life of Monterey Bay”. The tensions between the former economic fundamentals (whaling and sardine canneries) and the tourism were enormous! The one displaced the other and after the economic meltdown of the can industry, the tourism experienced a renaissance and became the main economic cornerstone.
In Arnoldstein the things are different, industry is part of the place since the late 19th century. The lead manufacturing was gone in the early 1990s and just after that, the place became a recycling cluster with the waste incineration for the whole state, so pollution is still an issue. With the millennium the “Natur Park Dobratsch” – a protected area around the Dobratsch – was launched. The Dobratsch is an impressive limestone mountain with a tremendous history. In 1348 a huge landslide happened and left a unique landscape “the Schütt”, which is rich in flora and fauna. The Schütt is part of the protected area “Naturpark Dobratsch”. The industry complex is very close to the area of the Schütt and the motorway cuts straight through the heart of it. This is causing a opposed picture in front of the rugged Southside of the Dobratsch. In the south of Arnoldstein lays the mountain “Dreiländereck” which means “three country corner” that is used as skiing area since the 1970s. With mild winters and little snowfall a major rethink is required there. So the future topic is also sustainable tourism in this area. So what we’ve got then is, sustainable tourism in North and South and industry, living space and transit in the middle, an interesting scene! I don’t think that tourism is getting very huge with these factors, because the image of the industrial site is to strong.
Today I’ve been on the Dreiländereck and shot a picture of Arnoldstein, where you can see exactly what I am talking about.
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Wonderful write up! It sound like Arnoldstein has some decisions to make in regards to where it wants to go in the future. Tourism is a great source of economic wealth or at least economic sustainability. I live in Santa Cruz, CA and I work at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The reason I am telling you this that this Wharf was built in 1914 with a railroad on it for shipping and importing goods. Santa Cruz was a very large industrial area in the past which was very successful for the time period. As the city grew the need for the railroad became obsolete and the Wharf became a recreational area for fishing, boating, dinning, and shopping. It receives over one million visitors each year and is one of the main attractions in Santa Cruz that sustains our economy because it offers so many wonderful views on the ocean, Monterey Bay, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, surfing, and the beach. My question for you would be what does Arnoldstein have to offer to attract and sustain tourism for the local economy aside from “quick travel between the countries surrounding the area?
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I enjoyed reading your post about Austria. I think that you wrote it very well, I could picture what you were talking about very easily. I too understand the struggle of choosing between to possibilities (tourism or industrialization). Living in Monterey, a very tourist based location, is a daily struggle. It affects everything from traffic to eating out. People coming into your “home” is very difficult, I mostly dislike the traffic problems. Tourists are usually using a GPS device and so they are not as focused on their driving and they do not know where they are going, causing accidents and slowing the speed of traffic.
However there are the benefits as well such as the economic benefits of tourists. They need somewhere to stay, something to eat, things to do, etc. These things also bring more jobs to the area.
-Brooke
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As I am trying to relate to your post I find it hard because I did not live in a town that relied on tourism. I grew up in a very small town that no one really visits because it truly is in the middle of nowhere. We only have tourists on one occasion for an agriculture show. That time of year is really crappy for the residents because the streets get very busy and roads are blocked off and it just becomes an inconvenience to have tourists. I know that our town needs the money and that tourism helps us but it is very inconvenient to leave for work 30-45 minutes early just to get there on time. So I can relate to the people of Arnoldstien in that way. How do you feel about this tourism?
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Thanks for all your comments and being interested. Sounds interesting what you write about the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Annalise. The actual use of the old wharf (fishing, boating, shopping, dining, maybe also concerts) is giving the place a new life. And there is one special point on that: You have a place with history, this is making a special atmosphere. People are really looking for a history behind of frontages. This is a point, what Arnoldstein could really offer. You will find history in every corner. Even the protected area of the Dobratsch has a (human linked) history that goes back to copper time 4.000 BC. Arnoldstein has its industry and that reaches back to the late medieval times (if we look carefully). Maybe this is something what could be used for tourism in a way of guided tours or events in old factory halls. And the possibility to visit two nature-near areas gives some sort of contrast.
Sustainable tourism means not only nature near tourism, it means a form of tourism, that the place and the inhabitants can handle easily. That’s far away from mass tourism you writing about Brooke. It must be really hard to live in a place of mass tourism; Crowded places, traffic jams, have your daily round in town. On one side this and on the other hand the place is occurring economic benefits. Arnoldstein is well in economy; the money is coming mostly from the industry. Today I had a walk through town (Since long time I am visiting Arnoldstein) and was amazed. Everything clean, everything renovated, no vacant buildings, it’s looking good in the centre, a lot of decorations an so on. Tourism could be increased and make it to a smaller second pillar.
Interesting what you are telling about your town Maddie. Sounds like “event tourism” and this is a term what’s being well used here in the state politics around a decade ago. In the state Carinthia here in Austria lays the “Wörthersee” (Lake Wörth), it became a target of concentrated events that lasted just for some days like the “Iron Man Austria” or the “Volkswagen GTI Meeting” also the “Harley Davidson Week” on the – close to the Wörthersee located – “Faaker See”, is such a thing. Such an event can have around 150.000 visitors and that pushes place and inhabitants to the limit, so this is the exactly opposite to sustainable tourism. In my opinion it must be weighted out what it exactly brings to the region, who gets the benefit and how it can be made compatible with the place, nature and residents. I’m sure not every event is necessary and when a big one is bringing problems it should be limited.
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I am most curious of what you would like to see happen in Arnoldstein? I am as well living in the Monterey area and I would hate to see it more industrialized because nature is one of its defining characteristics. Sustainable tourism seems like an amazing alternative to industrializing or having mass tourism as Brooke describes, or even event tourism such as Maddie describes.
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Marcocec,
I have never been to Arnoldstein but you have made it out to be a very beautiful city that is in danger to some major changes in the near future. It sounds as though this town still remains somewhat of a village, making it extremely unique, not giving into industrialization. Hearing this, this town becomes a place I would very much like to visit. Just by looking at the picture at the top of your post, the town and surrounding landscape looks beautiful. Although I don’t know much about Austria, I know visiting a former street village would be very different than a vacation out here in Southern California. My home town has become very touristy even in the last ten years. As a child we had hotels and entertainment just like any other city but our downtown has recently been taken over by tourist shops and families visiting for the summer, making it a very unappealing place to be in the summer months. I hope Arnoldstein can stay a “former street village” for as long as possible and keep its special uniqueness.
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I really enjoyed reading this post and i appreciate you photo. It gave more of a sense of the potential impacts that could come to Arnoldstein. I also like how you referenced how different industrialization and tourism are and how they could each affect the area. It would be interesting to see what projected changes could come through tourism and what could come through industrialization. Both could have impacts in the area and the communities that surround it. I would hope that the tourism choice would include positive impacts to locals or including them in the growth of the industry. On the other hand if more urban development is chosen I would also hope that looking in to the most sustainable options as possible would also be considered! I will defiantly be researching this more and looking in to the future outcomes!
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Hey folks, I wish everyone of you a happy new year! Good things are taking a while and I was doing a good thing in the last days. I totally dove into the place Arnoldstein. I was hiking and biking around, to perceive the place from all sides. Went to bars and shops to talk to the people there, so I found out their needs and wants. This will be described in my fully article. Industrialisation already happened hundred years ago Whitney, Arnoldstein is a place of industry and will always be, so the place is not really in danger. This “filthy side” will always be a part of the place. Actually it looks like that there will be no more industry, but the capacity would be here, and the place could be seen as recycling cluster, with a straight connection to the motorway is it really a pull factor for new and modern recycling companies. What the people are concerned about is the future of the “Dreiländereck” ( three country corner of Slovenia, Italy and Austria) the small skiing area in the south of Arnoldstein. It looks like it does not have a future as skiing area, because of the poor winters. So the thoughts are going to sustainable tourism, in sense of hiking and biking and meeting people from the three countries. It would be a smooth tourism, no mass- or event tourism. This is also what I would like to see happen here, Laila. The place has a wonderful mountain landscape around. When you go through the “Schütt” on the mountain “Dobratsch” in the north, it is like fairy tale. Let’s exclude the industry for the thoughts, but it would be really interesting to know which changes would come through tourism Emily. Actually I’m thinking about to write a tourism concept for Arnoldstein and the surrounding communities. A mayor thing is also, that Arnoldstein has no opportunities and interesting places for young people. For example there are poor possibilities to go out, just a few bars and no clubs for dancing. So all the young people are leaving the place on weekend, or generally.
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Marco! It is nice to read about your home city and get to see another picture of the city because I have already heard from your region by comments made in another course I’m enrolled in. The things I have heard were about all the pollution and toxins and when I explore your blog I was able to see the “sense of place” you have for this piece of land.
Small towns have their own charm. I come from a very large city where 1.5 million people live their crazy lives and I’ve always thought how would it be to live and be raised in a smaller city. This thought actually lead me to more questions I have for you.
First, I wanted to ask about the society. You mention that people have a strong sense of place and by your post, I can infer that most of the population work for the industries located there. I wonder if the people establish in Arnoldstein can to choose the type of industries they would like to work for, which these would be. This question bring more insight because this is the key to attract younger citizens; or do you think that the young people that still live at Arnoldstein will keep on working on the industries already established? Have you noticed if your generation (and younger ones) change their appreciation towards industry? I think when a factory arrives to a place, it aims that local people work for them; if more industries will arrive in a point, then they also come with the hope to find this qualified labor. Is the people of Arnoldstein still interested to work for the industry? Or the new generations want something else?
For me, the think that will make people stay is not just clubs or bars where they can meet other young people; the city needs to have a project that include all generations. If industries settle and other services and industries flourish, then I think young people will feel attracted to settle in Arnoldstein. I think a plan that includes a livable environment for kids, young adults, couples, families and elders will bring life back to the city.
My second thought goes for the development of the industry on the future. I read what Eurostat is and I find interesting that you mention the Green Tech Valley of Styria; this leads me to one question I want to pose to you: Have you ever heard the case of Kalundborg in Denmark? I thought about this specific case because there is a part where you mention the local industries are making synergies. Kalundborg was born as an Industrial Symbiosis case that transform into an Industrial Ecology example that inspire municipalities all over the world in their search for sustainability.
To achieve this, the first thing to be done is to close the loops, transform the waste of some industries in raw materials for other industries, just the way organism do it in the natural ecosystems. Maybe even an Eco-Park can be designed and the city can take the leading action; I would be really interested to know the exact process of all the industries and apply methodologies like Cleaner Production or Industrial Symbiosis to all the industries. That way some social, economic and environmental networks can be evaluated in order to improve the actual situation and transform Arnoldstein into a sustainable city.
One last think, I couldn’t stop thinking that wherever one see “problems” there are, in fact, millions of opportunities for improvement. What about the entrepreneur and their projects? Do you think some entrepreneur will be interested in developing other industries around the ones existing? Like for example, if I were you and wanted to return to the city maybe I would think about starting a buffet for assessing about risk, or maybe educating society about environmental issues or health assessment, many ideas come to my mind!
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Hola Denisse,
Thanks for your interest in my topic. It is always different with the angle of view; living in a ‘system’ and perceive is the opposite of looking at the system. Each of the angles has its advantages and disadvantages. I think you could get the best out of it, when you combine the viewing angles, which is just possible on a place you have lived, or live.
To your first question: there are a few companies that established from the mid 1990s to around 2005. In Euronova industry-park are 35 companies with around 650 employees. There is no statistical data about the age of the employees, but I know that young people find their way as trainees in offices, or apprentices in polymer technology, to the companies, but that are just a few. I was working for a year in Euronova Industry-park and out of my perception I would say, that mostly elderly people (over 35 to 55) are working in the companies. There are no newly established companies, so a pull factor for attracting young people is missing in this sense.
I’m with you when you are saying that – besides job offers in industry – a well working social structure is important and that it is also important for all generations to have something. This ‘generation thing’ is already happening in terms of associations, folklore festivals and sport-clubs etc. But young people are missing possibilities for getting together in Arnoldstein, this includes points of meeting, youth centers and also clubs. This is what I heard several times there from the young generation. A growing demand in tourism would also increase the structure of the town and bringing life back to the place. I think a label and image is important which can attract tourists, there is no reasonable image that belongs to- or is linked with the place.
Thanks for the tip with Kalundborg in Denmark, I will do some research about this place! The step ahead to sustainability activities is hard to do for municipalities, but with EU programs like ‘Alpine Space’ guidance is existing with which a municipality can improve it’s structure, lower co2 emission and so on. In my opinion it is really important to apply for such EU-programs. More information about Alpine Space on: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/de/atlas/programmes/2014-2020/austria/2014tc16rftn001 .
Arnoldstein is the last destination for waste and the place for ‘closing the loops’ of recycling. The waste incineration for the whole Carinthian state is stationed there. Other companies are recycling accumulators, reprocessing heavy metals out of waste, rehashing contaminated soil biologically, or hermetically locking landfills, which includes problem waste. So the place has its special features and operates through expert knowledge. 80.000m2 blank area is still available and could host companies from this sector. It would be great when companies and institutes acts in synergy and starting to improve all the actions that are needed in processing a cleaner technology and greener methodologies. I think that with ‘pulling the right lever’ interest can be generated. That buffet thing sounds good, I’m curious about more of you ideas, so we should have a coffee.
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