Publications
Shaping territorial agri-food systems through social innovations: The example of Valposchiavo, Switzerland
Valposchiavo, Switzerland, exemplifies how territorial agri-food systems can emerge as social innovations that challenge conventional corporate food governance. This study highlights the development of a 100% Valposchiavo approach, characterized by diverse local collaborations and a strong emphasis on organic agriculture, as a novel multi-actor setting within its territorial agri-food system. The research identifies an innovative governance strategy aimed at achieving certification as an organic region, signaling a proactive shift toward sustainability. To uncover these insights, the study employed a territorial social innovation framework, combining existing interviews with problem-centered fieldwork. This approach underscores the potential of social innovations to revalorize local resources and shape sustainable territorial development.
Territorial rural development strategies based on organic agriculture: the example of Valposchiavo, Switzerland
Remote mountain valleys can successfully counteract the disembedding effects of globalization through territorial rural development strategies rooted in organic agriculture. A case study of Valposchiavo, Switzerland, reveals that such approaches—centered on neo-endogenous development—strengthen local agro-food systems by fostering internal and external networks, establishing a territorial brand, and creating regional supply chains. This model enhances community well-being while mitigating globalization's negative impacts. The research employed document analysis, secondary interviews, and problem-centered interviews to explore these dynamics, offering a blueprint for sustainable rural development in marginalized regions.
Automated avalanche hazard indication mapping on a statewide scale
An automated approach to avalanche hazard indication mapping has been successfully developed and applied statewide, addressing a significant gap in hazard assessment for the Canton of Grisons, Switzerland. This method combines digital elevation modeling with numerical simulations of avalanche dynamics, accounting for forest protective effects across eight scenarios with varying return periods. Validated against official maps, expert assessments, and satellite-derived cadastres, this innovative technique enables reproducible hazard indication mapping in regions lacking historical records, offering invaluable insights for climate change studies. The approach is now operationally used by authorities and can be replicated globally where high-resolution data are available.
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