Ostana
Smart strategy to attract qualified professionals to the northwestern Alps
Description
Ostana is an Occitan multi-centric settlement in Po Valley in the north-western Alps, facing Monviso mountain in Italy. The village has for years suffered from severe depopulation, with a current population of only 50 permanent residents that increases to 500 with tourists and second-home owners during summer and peak seasons. Under the Smart Rural 27 initiative, in 2020 the village launched the “Smart Village Strategy of Ostana (Italy)” in an attempt to attract new qualified inhabitants to the area with different professional competencies, such as researchers, farmers and artists, through the promotion of cultural and social innovations as well as green economy initiatives. The Smart Village Strategy promotes collective and sustainable forest management and local wood supply chain valorization.
Technology
In an attempt to promote sustainable living and better resource management, Ostana launched several initiatives that saw the installation of solar and wind-powered street lamps and solar panels on municipal buildings, and the use of geothermal and solar energy for local facilities. To reduce CO2 emissions and manage summer overcrowding, electric mobility was promoted, a carpooling initiative was launched, electric bike charging stations were installed and new transport interchanges were created. The Smart Village Strategy of Ostana emphasizes the need to increase the funding made available for sustainable rural development and territorial management, green technologies and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
Target
The main targets of Ostana’s strategy are qualified inhabitants with different competencies, such as farmers, local enterprises, professionals and researchers. Local public administrations, such as the Local Municipality of Ostana, the Union of Municipalities in the Monviso Mountain Area, the Regional Monviso Park, MAB (Man and Biosphere), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the National Union of Mountain Municipalities, as well as other local communities and institutions, can benefit from the smart village strategy and the improved management of local resources.
Impact
The main objective of the strategy is to keep the village alive and to serve new and existing inhabitants with smart mobility, social housing, cultural and social innovation, and forest management initiatives. The Smart Village Strategy of Ostana aims to promote the sustainable management of natural resources, leading to new job opportunities, while at the same time increasing landscape value and climate resilience.
Partners
European Union; Piedmont Region; Rural Development Program; Politecnico of Turin
Four Betters
Better environment
Better life
