Where unemployment is now unheard of: Idrija/Sl, the "Alpine Town of the Year"May 05, 2010
In April the Slovenian town of Idrija has been declared "Alpine Town of the Year". In the Year of the Alpine Town Idrija intends to make a big step towards becoming a model town for climate protection. In the context of sustainable development, the "Alpine Town of the Year" brand should help the town to become known outside Slovenia as well.
Until recently the small town of 12'000 inhabitants in the south-eastern foothills of the Alps was mainly known for the second largest quicksilver mine in the world. After the closure of the mines in the late 1980s Idrija developed into a centre of high-tech industry with an almost zero unemployment rate. The planned activities were presented to the representatives of the "Alpine Town of the Year" association at a workshop in early April. The prospective model town for climate protection has developed many initiatives for energy efficiency. For example, the amount of energy that can be generated from local biomass and the corresponding savings of energy from fossil sources will be calculated. Measures will also be taken to reduce environmental and light pollution. Another important theme is awareness-building among the population for a more rational use of drinking water. In this context, the construction of sewage plants is also given priority. |
