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An initiative of the Italian Ministry for Environment Land and Sea
SWOMM 2009
Lucerne World Mountain Conference
Lucerne World Mountain Conference Moving Mountains toward Global Sustainable Development Lucerne, Switzerland, 11 – 12 October 2011 The world’s mountains were included in the global development agenda at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, by introducing a specific Chapter 13 into Agenda 21. Twenty years later, sustainable mountain development (SMD) matters more than ever, and it is... »
Obama’s administration for greenhouse emissions cuts from fuel
On July 29th the U.S. President Barack Obama announced on a press conference at the White House the achievement of a deal to increase fuel efficiency standards between the government and the major car companies. The agreement was signed together with Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota... »
88 km/hour is the new record speed for a solar-powered car
Ivy – the solar-powered car built by students and teachers of the Australian University of New Southern Wales. On 7 January 2011 a car moved by solar power achieved the 88 km/hour record speed, broking the Guiness World Land-Speed record for a solar-powered vehicle. The venture was carried out by Solar Racer Sunswift IV, also... »
The role of transport for urban liveability and economic growth
The proceedings from the SWOMM 2009 and the Urban Mobility Report have been launched on the occasion of the XIth Alpine Conference of the Alpine Convention, held on 8-9 March 2011 in Brdo, SLOVENIA. The two publications focus on urban mobility in sensitive natural areas, providing suggestions on innovative means and policies to lower the... »
Multi sector perspective on Climate Change Adaptation in the Alps – 30-31 March 2011, Turin, Italy
Climate change is predicted to have a long-term impact on the Alpine area. It would produce disruptions not only in the fragile environment but also in the economy and society of the region, thus affecting the livelihood of populations. What are these expected effects? Are there any specific adaptation responses which could be implemented... »
Google Launches Open Spot, an App to Help You Find Open Parking
Google has launched Open Spot, a new app aimed at helping “driving users” to find and share parking spots. How does it work? It is very easy: users update a map when they are leaving their parking spots, thus enabling other drivers who are looking for a parking spot in the same area to quickly... »
Advanced mobility and ICT solutions in mountain environments – MIT
Filippo Dal Fiore, during the SWOMM Side Event at CSD18, explained research and development activities carried out by the Senseable City Laboratory at M.I.T, also providing some concrete case studies which could be successfully applied as advanced solutions for mountain areas. The Senseable City Laboratory researches are focusing in particular on new means of transport... »
Railways in mountain areas – UIC
Margrethe Sagevik, of the International Union of Railways (UIC), addressed the issue of railways in mountain areas during her presentation at the CSD18 SWOMM Side Event. The UIC is the Worldwide Association representing the Railway Sector, counting about 200 members from all continents. The scope of UIC mission is promoting the rail transport at a... »
SWOMM – A distinctive approach to sustainable mobility in the mountains
Gathering experiences and researches, by using a multidisciplinary approach and advanced communication tools, the SWOMM workshop has become a point of reference for the debate on mountain mobility. Scientists, practitioners and policy makers in the Alps and the Carpathians have been regularly involved in the forum. Opening his remarks Mr. Cetara explained that mountain... »
District Roads in Rural Nepal – the Swiss Cooperation’s experience
Mattia Poretti from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), presented the District Roads Support Program (DRSP), implemented in Nepal and aiming at improving the living conditions of the local population, by facilitating mobility and access. The Program, made up of an agreement among the Switzerland and Nepal Governments, started in 1999 and is... »