Interreg III B Project PUSEMOR

Workpackage 5

Regional Report

Ticino

July 2006

PUSEMOR/ Report / SEREC/ 15.07.06 1 A. Table of content

1 Introduction...... 1 1.2 Output 2 : Methodology...... 1 2 Country: ...... 1 2.1 Territorial organisation of Switzerland...... 1 2.2 Public services ...... 1 3 Regional and test areas profile...... 3 3.1 Geographical situation ...... 3 3.1.1 Overview about Ticino...... 3 3.1.2 Test area Regione Tre Valli - RTV ...... 5 3.1.3 Test area Regione Valli di - RVL ...... 5 3.1.4 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salarino - RVM...... 6 3.2 Demography and human potential...... 7 3.2.1 Overview...... 7 3.2.2 Test area Regione Tre Valli...... 7 3.2.3 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano ...... 8 3.2.4 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino...... 9 3.3 Socio economic situation ...... 10 3.3.1 Overview...... 10 3.3.2 Test area Regione Tre Valli...... 11 3.3.3 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano ...... 12 3.3.4 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino...... 13 4 The Public services in the test areas: description, evaluation, problems, perspectives.14 4.1 Test area Regione Tre Valli ...... 14 4.1.1 Private and public transport...... 14 4.1.2 Public administration: social services (social care/health care/ elderly), police, advisory...... 14 4.1.3 Education: kindergartens and statutory primary schools, professional and personal training...... 15 4.1.4 Telecommunication: telephony, internet, Tv and radio...... 15 4.1.5 Every day needs: food and non food items, fuel, postal services...... 15 4.1.6 Resumee test area RTV...... 15 4.2 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano...... 18 4.2.1 Private and public transport...... 18 4.2.2 Public administration: social services (social care/health care/ elderly), police, advisory...... 18

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 2 4.2.3 Education: kindergartens and statutory primary schools, professional and personal training...... 19 4.2.4 Telecommunication: telephony, internet, Tv and radio...... 19 4.2.5 Every day needs: food and non food items, fuel, postal services...... 19 4.2.6 Resumee test area RVL ...... 19 4.3 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino ...... 22 4.3.1 Private and public transport...... 22 4.3.2 Public administration: social services (social care/health care/ elderly), police, advisory...... 22 4.3.3 Education: kindergartens and statutory primary schools, professional and personal training...... 22 4.3.4 Telecommunication: telephony, internet, Tv and radio...... 23 4.3.5 Every day needs: food and non food items, fuel, postal services...... 23 4.3.6 Resumee test area RVM ...... 23 5 Best practices in the test area, their specifics and conditions for transferability ...... 25 6 Conclusion and next steps ...... 26 7 Appendix ...... 27 7.1 Nottambus...... 27 7.2 Postal service in town hall...... 28 7.3 Restaurant and shop in town hall...... 29

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 3 B. Table of figures

Fig. 1: Concentration and dispersion of the establishments...... 2 Fig. 2 Test area Ticino...... 4 Fig. 3 Demography in the test area Ticino ...... 7 Fig. 4 Socio economic situation in the test areas ...... 10 Fig. 5 Public services in RTV : problems and perspectives...... 17 Fig. 6 Public services in RVL : problems and perspectives...... 21 Fig. 7 Public services in RVM : problems and perspectives...... 24 Fig. 8 Three best practices from Ticino ...... 25

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 4 1 Introduction Notice: the introduction and the conclusion of this report should be written by the lead partners of Workpackage 5.

1.1 Output 2 : Methodology

For the Ticino have been used the following methods to reach the results of the report :  Interviews of local representatives ( of municipalities and regional representatives)  Expert interviews (in diffents domains of service public)  Literature analysis

2 Country: Switzerland

2.1 Territorial organisation of Switzerland

Switzerland has 4 political-institutional levels: 1 nation, 26 cantons, 175 districts, 2815 municipalities. The federalist principle gives the municipalities a lot of autonomy, they have their own right to request taxes and have their own executive and legislative organs. In the following domains of the public sector the municipalities have much importance : formation (primary and secondary school, in Ticino only primary school); water, electricity, waste; social and health care (in agreement with the cantons); constructions and roads; organisation of the administration. These decisions base on national or cantonal laws. To provide the public services, especially small municipalities often collaborate in so called "regionalen Zweckverbänden" or "Regionen" (small regional partnerships of convenience). An example for such "regions" and of a special significance in context of mountain development are the 54 mountain regions (so called “regions LIM”), which were formed during the seventies. According size, form of organisation, functions and resources these regions differ very much, but they have as a common goal to promote the sustainable development of their municipalities and for this, they receive money from the confederation and the cantons.

2.2 Public services

As in the other european countries, there is also in Switzerland a tendency to liberalise the public services. Rather advanced are these steps in the ICT (telephone, radio, television) and in some sections of transports (busses), while in other domains as the postal service or health care the liberalisation is slower. However, the former public enterprises are until today the most important players and have a strong monopoly in their markets. So in principle there runs not a "liberalisation" but a "economic reregulation" of the public services: the economic aims and principles become more important while the principles of equality between all regions and social groups is more and more queried.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC/ 15.07.06 1 A swiss federal statistic office study shows that from 1995 to 2001 the percent of communities equipped with commercial services such as stores and banks has diminished. Small retail trade businesses of less than 100m2 have also greatly decreased in number as well. In outlying areas, distances to a food store is more than 3 km (7 times more than in centers).

Fig. 1: Concentration and dispersion of the establishments (Source: swiss federal statistic office)

The graphic shows that restaurants and primary grade schools are best spread out on the communities territories. On the other hand, day-care centers, small stores, and pharmacies are not. Banks have withdrawn from that field in recent years.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 2 3 Regional and test areas profile

3.1 Geographical situation

3.1.1 Overview about Ticino

In Ticino 3 mountain regions take part to the project: Regione Tre Valli, Regione Valli di Lugano and Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara and Salorino. The first two are mountain regions recognized at swiss level, the third is a smaller region only recognized at cantonal level. The Region is an association of municipalities, but of private right. It is a board that promotes public purposes, socioeconomic development and development of territorial resources on the basis of a Development Program approved by the Region, by the Municipalities, the Canton and the Confederation. Supports and promotes projects of regional, sub-regional or environmental impact interest. His establishment and the obligation to draw up a development program is based on the federal law for the aid to investments in mountain regions (LIM) and on the cantonal application law. Sole institutional level are the municipalities and the patriciates (boards of public right prior to the municipalities owners of a good share of collective property) The Regione Tre Valli (RTV) is the most outlying, northern area, in the middle of the mountains but with important ways going though, like the highway of the S. Gotthard. It contains 3 subregions related to morphology: Leventina, and Riviera. Summer and winter tourism are important at cantonal level. The Regione Valli di Lugano is the mountain region next to the city of Lugano, subdivided in three subregions: , and . It is almost a prealpine area and it share a long border with . The lowest region is now a residential area of Lugano thanks to the location and landscape. The remaining hill area is trying to locate herself as tourist area for Lugano and . The Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino is the southern relief of Switzerland closed to the river plain and Milan. In the year 2000 the region was only the Muggio Valley afterward, in 2003, the Val Mara end the municipality of Salorino joined the association and four more municipalities joined it for their mountain area. The economy is based on agriculture and tourism, but the majority of the inhabitants works in the near cities of Lugano, Mendrisio and Chiasso.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 3 Fig. 2 Test area Ticino (Source: SAB, 54 mountain regions of Switzerland)

Zürich

Bern

Geneva Regione tre Valli Lugano Regione Valli di Lugano

Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino Lugano

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 4 3.1.2 Test area Regione Tre Valli - RTV

The Region is divided in three valleys: Leventina, Blenio and Riviera. Leventina and Riviera valleys are very deep and present the typical U-form of the glacial valleys while Blenio Valley is much wider. The region is made up of 41% forests, 19% agriculture, 2.8% residential and 37% unproductive (of which 19% is without vegetation); total surface 103’811 ha, 100% mountain area from 300 m/asl to 3,400 m/asl in less than 50 km.. The increase of population during some decades was due to large building sites: Gotthard railway (1880), motorway (1970) and hydroelectric dam (1960, Olivone). Regional pole is : its role is increasing in importance even though there has been a reduction in the service sector due to the reorganization of the banking system and of various federal services. Subregional poles: : its role in loosing importance due to the concentration of services in . Acquarossa: its role is stable. Industrial zone of Biasca of Cantonal importance: several industries, some of which are specialized. Development following the cantonal average. Industrial zones of regional interest: ex- Monteforno in Bodio, Quinto, Cresciano.

3.1.3 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano - RVL

The region could be divided in two valleys: Valle del Vedeggio e Valle del and in three levels: bottom of the valley (322 m/asl), hills and prealpine mountains (top: Camoghé, 2227 m/asl). Milan is 80 km away. The region is made up of 68 % forests, 16% agriculture, 8% residential and 8% unproductive; total surface: 14,831 hectares, 95% mountain area. In this areas, surrounding the Lugano pole, the land quickly abandoned by the agriculture was has occupied with residential areas, excessively grown, whereas, in the marginal areas, with a strong move forward of the wood. In the past, the settlement was concentrated in the nucleus of the rural villages in order not to use agricultural land. Now the areas on the bottom of the valley and on the hillsides (left bank of the Cassarate river, the Capriasca and Vedeggio valleys) are residential areas of the urban agglomerate of Lugano. The population increased with a rate of 50% in the last 25 years. The settlement model is widespread, mainly characterized by single-family houses and it is expensive in terms of basic infrastructures because of the occupation of a large area (high investment for a comparatively small number of inhabitants). Reference pole (outside the region for job, services, culture and recreation) is Lugano (principal financial and service center of Canton Ticino and Switzerland third financial center). Subregional poles: Tesserete, Rivera, Taverne/Torricella. Development of shops and services due to the geographic position and to its accessibility. Accessible by railway (Gotthard line since 1880) and motorway (1970s). Motorways accessible to 40ton trucks up to Rivera. Other institutions are at the superior level of the Region

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 5 3.1.4 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salarino - RVM

The Region is divided in two distinct valleys: Valle di Muggio and Val Mara (the latter become member of the region only in 2003), both originating from which is the first important summit of the Prealps towards the Po plain. It shares borders with Italy for more than 15 km and Milan is 50 km away. The region in 2000 was made up of 77 % forests, 16.4% agriculture, 5% residential and 1% unproductive; total surface: 3’735 hectares, 90% mountain area. In the past, the settlement was concentrated in the nucleus of the rural villages in order not to spare agricultural land. Many buildings functional to the agricultural activity were spread on the territory which was all cultivated. Now the periurban part of the villages experience a very strong residential development while the nucleus has more or less remained untouched. During the last decades a reevaluation of the village nucleus has been recorded, beginning from those nearer to the agglomerate (valley bottom). Distant villages experience service problems especially concerning public transportation. The economic poles are situated outside the region (a cantonal region is not requested to have a pole inside the region itself). Mendrisio and Chiasso are considered as one pole. They offer services, infrastructures and shops. Mendrisio and Chiasso follow the trend of the Ticino economy. Mendrisio is less depending of the border economy and has better development prospects than Chiasso. Hospital and cantonal administrative activities are concentrated in Mendrisio. Up to the early 1990s Chiasso has had an important financial role in respect to the italian economy and, being a border zone, has many activities connected to customs clearance and railway. Another economic pole for the active population of RVM is Lugano.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 6 3.2 Demography and human potential

3.2.1 Overview

Fig. 3 Demography in the test area Ticino (Source: Statistics of canton Ticino)

Criteria RTV RVL RVM Ticino

Area km2 (year 2000) 1038.1 150.4 37.5 2812.5

Inhabitants/km2 (year 2000) 26.3 135.1 94.4 110.7 Municipalities (year 2001) 44 27 9 243 Population 2000 27'326 20'365 3'541 311'356 Change of population 1980 – 2000 (%) 0.6 43.7 13.6 17.1 Change of population 1990 – 2000 (%) 4.0 17.5 9.8 8.6 % of population < 19 (year 2000) 15.5 16.9 15.7 14.8 % of population > 65 (year 2000) 18.6 14.7 18.9 17.6

3.2.2 Test area Regione Tre Valli

Demography, demographical trends During the XXth century, people concentrated in the bottom of the valleys because of the decline of the primary sector and of the development of services. Especially the Leventina Valley offered interesting job opportunities thanks to the presence of federal employs, like the railway and the army, and the construction of the Gotthard motorway ('70s). The sharp reduction of these employs in the '90s and the previous closure of an important steel plant caused a reduction of jobs and a subsequent reduction of inhabitants and activities. The population in Blenio Valley has remained more constant as not interested by the above described instance, although it lose many economic activities (textile, watch-making and chocolate). In Riviera Valley the population has increase of 40% from 1970 to 2000 because of the suburbanization phenomenon: residential zone for the Bellinzona area. The quota of elderly people in the RTV exceeds the cantonal average. With the decrease of population a decrease in services follows.

Education level and structure The rate of graduates is below the cantonal and swiss average. The region suffers a loss of brains because graduates must look for a job abroad. Depopulation has as a consequence the reduction of the possibilities of formation. Changes and reforms allow to attend schools. Medium-high level schools are outside the region but fairly accessible.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 7 Human potential and regional identity Mentality differs from one valley to the other: Leventina Valley is more entrepreneurial (transport end industries), Blenio Valley more territorial (agriculture). Local identity (subregion) is strong. Patriciates are essential for the management of the territory but their future which depends from the federal politic concerning the management of the territory which is not for itself profitable.

3.2.3 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano

Demography, demographical trends Peripheral areas have undergone a depopulation followed by a recovery. The reduced attraction of the urban area, a better roads network, a lower price for construction land and satisfactory services there has been a partial recovery of the population. Depopulation occurred because of economic factors (attraction of the town) and mobility (necessity to make use of individual transport). Periurban areas experienced an important increase in population (50% in 25 years). These areas became residential areas of the Lugano pole because they offer to families a better quality of life that the urban zone, consequently the average age of the population is below the cant.

Education level and structure Good rate of education level. The logistic offer is satisfactory. Not having a high-level industrial sector connected to research, people choose a university education. Superior-level schools are not in the region, but are fairly accessible.

Human potential and regional identity Little innovative, lacking the entrepreneurial mentality. The advanced tertiary sector pole did not foster the innovative spirit. In the years '60s – '80s, the offer for jobs and the possibility of career were almost inexhaustible. In the last few years there is a change in tendency due to the changed economic situation and to the slowing down of the tertiary sector. There is a resumption of the entrepreneurial spirit oriented towards companies with high added value (niche production). Except of the suburban belt there is a strong local identity. Even immigrants try to integrate themselves in the local social reality, as it is confirmed by a great number of associative activities. Still surviving are religious and profane traditions related to the popular culture.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 8 3.2.4 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino

Demography, demographical trends Since 1960s-1970s the RVM has undergone an important depopulation (migration towards the economic poles) except for the communities nearer to the urban agglomerate on the plane: the population moved where the work was. The distance of the economic poles marks the decrease of inhabitants: the further they are, the greater is the depopulation. The return of population is due to the quality of life (the plane has considerable problems of traffic and pollution) an to a better network of roads. Distant zones experience a higher reduction of services. Where depopulation is higher the remaining population is old. The Valle di Muggio follows the general trend of the Canton, with tendency to ageing.

Education level and structure The level of formation is below cantonal and swiss average. This mainly because people following a higher formation must look for a job elsewhere. Presently thank the residential immigration the level of people with a good formation is increasing. Access to medium-high formation is not more difficult than in other parts of the canton.

Human potential and regional identity Muggio Valley lacks of entrepreneurial spirit and few recognise the potentialities of their region. Val Mara has a more marked identity, characterized - for example - by various free- time associations (music band, carnival, etc.). Monte Generoso must be point of reference for the regional identity. It is necessary to recover the own cultural identity and to develop groups of activities (associations).

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 9 3.3 Socio economic situation

3.3.1 Overview

Fig. 4 Socio economic situation in the test areas (Source: Statistics of canton Ticino) Criteria RTV RVL RVM Ticino

Sectors of economy

Primary sector 2000 abs. 514 187 65 2'049 - in % 4.3 1.8 3.9 1.7 - development 1980 – 2000 (in %) - 40 - 20 - 33 35 - number of farms 2000 451 96 77 1'509

Secondary sector 2000 abs. 3'249 1'636 221 2'4286 - in % 27.1 16.3 15.2 17.2 - development 1980 – 2000 (%) -46.8 -15.2 -25.8 32.7

Tertiary sector 2000 abs. 6'022 6'713 1'147 92'008 - in % - development 1980 – 2000 (%)

Employment (job principle) Persons in employment 2000 12'000 10'067 1'668 140'861 Persons in employment / population 2000 52.0 56.4 55.9 53.1 Unemployment rate 2000 % 5 3.8 3.5 5 Number of inhabitants working outside the district 2000 6'248 7'010 1'269 84'608 Tourism Overnight stays 2001 (hotels only) 70'970 48'131 590 2'962'961 Overnight stays / inhabitants 2001 2.6 2.4 0.2 9.5

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 10 3.3.2 Test area Regione Tre Valli

Economic structure (characteristics) Bassa (Lower) Leventina and in Riviera Valley has developed a niche industry with high added value. For example: heavy industry relating to railway (rails and special components), pharmaceutical and alternative heating industries. Hydroelectric plants run by companies from outside the region create jobs. Tertiary sector depending from companies of other regions (banks, insurances, services, …). Services may also develop near industrial areas. For the industry there is a potential for a probable niche expansion. Transport routes are available and energy is at low price. In the tertiary sector there is the possibility to develop tourism. Unemployment rate is above the average due to the marginality of the territory.

Commuting (within and out of the area) People commute towards Bellinzona and Lugano. With the improvement of the connections (roads, railways) commuting will increase. Managers of the industries active in the RTV live in the towns and commute to the region to work.

Agriculture Agriculture holds the role of handling the territory. Most of the farms breed cattle and produce milk and its derivates. The best farms – in terms of infrastructures and land – are located in upper Leventina Valley and in Blenio Valley. Between 1980 and 2000, the number of farms has reduced by 63% (average Canton: -71%), but the cultivated land has increased by 10% (average Canton: -2%). Tendency is typical for the agricultural sector: decrease of number of farms and increase of cultivated land. In order to handle the less rational areas it is important the maintaining of the farms, even those the secondary ones. It is necessary to assure a generational change. Develop typical niche products: “agriculture and nature” and “agriculture and tourism”.

Tourism Possibility of summer and winter tourism (2 distinct seasons). “Blenitour rustici” (www.rustici.ch – rustici = country cottages) offers special accommodations for particular people. Many interventions are necessary: from renewal of structures to the creation of new offers to the strengthening of receptive structures. Good tourist vocation for soft tourism: There is a project for a national park (Park Adula). Natural property is important and a valid tourist vector: a niche tourism that has to be developed and it is necessary to strengthen (diversified structures like mountain huts and the various offers oriented to the use of nature and mountains). Punctual problems. In the most delicate situation (Lucomagno naturalistic zone of national importance) the problem was solved with a planning made by the canton, solving the conflict nature-agriculture-tourism by giving the various activities specific zones. Sunday’s tourism reach the Milan agglomerate. Regional cycling network to be strengthened.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 11 3.3.3 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano

Economic structure (characteristics) Vedeggio Valley has a stressed vocation for the secondary sector (4500 jobs) and 500 jobs in the tertiary sector (high added value enterprises). Capriasca and left bank of the Cassarate river: 315 jobs in the secondary and 1109 in the tertiary sector (services, elderly homes and schools). Val Colla: 110 jobs of which 13 in the secondary and 81 in the tertiary sector (services and administration). Initiatives are being carried out to provide incentives for high added value industries to settle in the Vedeggio Valley in order to develop an “industrial district” related to innovation and applied research. In other parts of the region residential and daily tourism is to be developed. Unemployment rate conforms to the Lugano area average (lower than the cantonal rate of 4.6%) mainly due to the employment in the tertiary sector (administrative: banks and insurances). A aim is to redirect the occupation towards the advances secondary sector in order to reduce dependence from the Lugano pole (= combine the quality of the industrial park to a residential area in the neighbourhood).

Commuting (within and out of the area) Preponderant commuting outside the region. Vedeggio Valley: outgoing active people (II & III) = incoming active people (II) of which 50% cross-border workers. Capriasca, Valcolla and east bank of the Cassarate: 80% of the active population commute to work outside the region, 20% work in the subregion (movements connected to services). All depends from the economic situation of Lugano.

Agriculture Up to the '50s, 80% of the population was active in agriculture: presently this rate is below 1%. The farms increase in the size although properties are much fragmentised (medium size: 10-15 hectares, very extensive). Agriculture has a determinant role in the management of the territory. Objectives: maintaining of the present situation – this depending on the federal politics – and strengthen it with the recovery of territory abandoned because of the regional natural park. Development of the multi-functionality (agriculture-tourism-typical niche products).

Tourism Summer tourism from April through October (pre-alpine zone with possibility of use during almost the whole year). Ecological and rural tourism presently low. Hotel structures of medium level but with insufficient beds. RVL tries to improve the receptive facilities and to open to tourists some secondary residences in the mountain. Good potential to be revalued (nature-park-culture). Few parking possibilities in the accessible naturalistic zones. Pressure from the Sunday’s tourists, coming from as far as the Milan area. In the most delicate situation (naturalistic zone of national importance) the problem was solved with a planning of utilization of the area.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 12 3.3.4 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino

Economic structure (characteristics) Industrial activity concentrated in one community, which is the only one to have adequate land surfaces. Industries with a high added value. Apart from this, craftsmanship activity following regional (Mendrisiotto) requirements. Development is limited because of the availability and cost of industrial land. Presently, unemployment follows the cantonal average as most part of the active population commute outside the region to work. A big question mark concern the future of those workers that do not have a specific formation and that work mainly at the international border station of Chiasso.

Commuting (within and out of the area) The majority of the workers commute outside the region to work. Only the industrial community register an incoming of working people, mainly cross-border workers (= low cost workforce). The trend will increase with the increase of the residential vocation of the RVM. The evolution of the cross-border workforce will develop following the conjuncture.

Agriculture Agriculture is made up by small farmers/breeders (farms much extensive - abt 20 hectares). Production of meat and traditional formaggini (small white cheese pieces made of cow’s and/or goat’s milk). During the last 20-30 years an interesting group of winegrowers/makers formed thanks to the geographic location. Traditionally, products are sold directly (higher profit margin). The RVM supports products of niche and high quality and the recover of agricultural land. The future of the mountain agriculture is bound to the niche production and to farmhouse accommodations. The evolution of the sale of wine must be evaluated (market saturation?)

Tourism Tourism is almost only daily, but during the whole year due to the climatic situation. There is a well known tourist mountain-railway to the top of the Monte Generoso. A modern and creative ethnographic museum, specific to the region, exist since the '80s. The region suffers a strong pressure from the daily tourist of Milan area. A strong lack of receptive structures in spite of projects for the realisation of hostels, B&B and farmhouse accommodations. Territory, landscape and nature are a tourist resource. The daily tourism generates congestion and waste problems, especially on Sundays. For the most sensible area (the portion of the mountain accessible by car) the canton has deliberate a plan that limits the car access (forced and paying parking).

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 13 4 The Public services in the test areas: description, evaluation, problems, perspectives

4.1 Test area Regione Tre Valli

4.1.1 Private and public transport

Roads / private transport The motorway form Milan to Zurich passes through Leventina Valley. In the last 30 years differences with the urban centres have been smoothed away with the help of the LIM Region (LIM - Law for the Investments in Mountain regions). Road network is satisfactory both for servicing the settlements and for the activities of the primary sector. High tension pylons are disturbing: they should be buried. Different tourist cableways relate to actual or former hydroelectric plants: – Sasso della Boggia: mainly ski area Ambrì – Ritom: summer excursions to one of the nicest high mountain lakes area of Ticino Ambrì – Lago Tremorgio: summer excursions Malvaglia – Dagro: summer excursions Leontica – Nara: ski area and summer excursions

Railways / connections outwards The Gotthard railway form Milan to Zurich passes through Leventina Valley. A new regional service operates since 12 december 2004 (TILO – Treni regionali Ticino – Lombardia: www.tilo.ch ). TILO involves swiss federal railways and Trenitalia., it is the most convenient, quick and efficient way to use the train with coordinated connections and regular frequencies.

4.1.2 Public administration: social services (social care/health care/ elderly), police, advisory

Social services The Region is well attended with basic services: homes for elderly people are spread through the region, regional hospitals serves two remote valleys and Spitex, run by the RTV under delegation from the communes, a service for welfare, at-home care, nursing and domestic science services, covers the whole area.

Police, advisory are also well spread in the region

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 14 4.1.3 Education: kindergartens and statutory primary schools, professional and personal training

Kindergartens and primary schools Kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools are intercommunal and assemble functional areas.

Opportunities for professional and personal training The higher level of formation (colleges and universities) are outside the region, but easily accessible (100 km). In Biasca there is a Professional centre for handicraft, industrial and tailoring school. Recently has been create an Alpine institute of phytopharmacology of Olivone in Benio Valley ( www.fitopolo.net ).

4.1.4 Telecommunication: telephony, internet, Tv and radio

Television and radio TV and radio cover the whole of the inhabited territory.

Internet and telephony The territory is well covered by fixed telephony whereas mobile telephony and ADSL does not reach the whole territory. There is quite a difference between the various mobile telephony operators.

4.1.5 Every day needs: food and non food items, fuel, postal services

First necessity goods shops have concentrated in the subregional poles. The postal services, “La Posta”, follows a policy of centralization of the counters and, in substitution, offers to marginal areas an itinerant service. Mail distribution is guaranteed by the federal law. The region is a producer of electricity therefore the distribution of energy is very good.

4.1.6 Resumee test area RTV

In most domains, the standard of public services in the test area Regione Tre Valli is rather high and the inhabitants are relatively satisfied. But there are some important problems to solve:  Leventina Valley suffer of the reductions of working places of the federal administration has also brought the diminution of inhabitants with the consequence of the disappearance of small shops and private services.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 15  For elderly people and other population group which are not very mobile already exists a problem in the domain of every day needs and it seems reasonable that the situation will deteriorate in future.  The situation of small communities not on the main ways is already bad ant it will get worse.  In future, the economic structural change will be a threat for many of the small shops in the domain of daily needs, the demografic change will change the structures in the domain child care / schools and policy for elderly. The short of public finances can derogate the quality primarily in the domains public transports, health care and education

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 16 Fig. 5 Public services in RTV : problems and perspectives (Source: PUSEMOR – SEREC; Expert-Interviews summer 2005) Domain of public service Current difficulties / Perspectives challenges (opportunities / threats)

No changes Maintain standard Bus services Reductions due to federal politics More flexible connections and finances Keep the local lines Railway services Maintain standard Reductions due to federal politics

Transport Transport and finances Impossibility of the communities Quality of roads Maintain standard to maintain their roads Financial problems Communities unions Local administration More duties and financial (aggregations) reductions due to federal politics Other public Maintain standard Change of federal and cantonal Public Public administration politics Administration Administration Police station Maintain standard Change of cantonal politic Hospitals / health care Maintain standard Change of federal and cantonal centres politics Change of cantonal politic Mobile nursing Maintain standard Expenses

Health care / care/ Health Change of cantonal politic care for elderly elderly carefor Home for the elderly Maintain standard Expenses Change of cantonal politic Kindergarten Maintain standard Expenses Change of cantonal politic Primary school Maintain standard Expenses Secondary school Change of cantonal politic Culture Culture Maintain standard (lower level) Expenses Change of cantonal politic

Child care / education / / education care/ Child Professional School Maintain standard Expenses Change of federal politics Telephony Satisfactory Liberalisation of the market

ation Tv and radio Satisfactory Political decision

Internet Satisfactory Improve the connections Telecommunic Every days shops Save the remaining shops Income not sufficient day Every needs Post / office Keep the service Change of federal politic

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 17 4.2 Test area Regione Valli di Lugano

4.2.1 Private and public transport

Roads / private transport The motorway form Milan to Zurich passes through Vedeggio Valley. During the last 20 years a complete recovery of the infrastructural delay took place (thanks to the LIM Region). The networking of the various communal infrastructures (water, sewage …) should be realized in order to maximize their utilization and management. The connections outside the region are organized by the "Piano del traffico del Luganese" planned by the Cantone Ticino. There is a deficiency of agricultural and forestry roads caused by of the rapid decay of the primary sector after the 2nd world war: the lack of driving accesses did not allow to cultivate vast areas in the mountain involved by the greatest degrade. The RVL is trying to recover what is possible. Particular case: the military area of Isone and Gola di Lago in which the army built roads and where the agricultural activity improved.

Railways / connections outwards The Gotthard railway form Milan to Zurich passes through Vedeggio Valley. Public transports are not enough frequent. The settlement has suburban characteristics but without the frequency and rapidity of an urban service. Furthermore, not all the residential areas are served by public transport.

4.2.2 Public administration: social services (social care/health care/ elderly), police, advisory

Public administration The most important problem is the difficulties to maintain administrative services at local boards level. In small and medium communities there are no technical offices because of limited financial resources. Patriciates are unable, for economic reasons, to guarantee the minimum management of their properties (pastures and woods).

Social services The Region is well served with basic services: homes for elderly people with medical care are spread through the region, regional hospital of Lugano serves the area and Spitex, covers the whole area. Specific social services (drugs dependence, alcoholism). Protected institutions for physical and mental handicapped persons.

Police, advisory Police is communal with intercommunal cooperation. Devoid of proximity police services for prevention and traffic coordination /security.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 18 4.2.3 Education: kindergartens and statutory primary schools, professional and personal training

Kindergartens and compulsory schools Intercommunal school institutions which allowed school buildings to be maintained distributed on the territory: kindergarten (3-5 years old children) and elementary schools (6- 10 years) and cantonal secondary schools (11-15 years). Availability of medium-superior schools in the Lugano pole.

Opportunities for professional and personal training Devoid of professional reintegration concerning unemployment (for instance first employment policy).

4.2.4 Telecommunication: telephony, internet, Tv and radio

Television, radio, internet and telephony Except for the peripheral areas (Alta Valle del Vedeggio, Alta Capriasca e Val Colla) Tv, connection via cable and ADSL are attended (90% of the population). Fixed telephony covers the whole area and mobile telephony all the inhabited areas.

4.2.5 Every day needs: food and non food items, fuel, postal services

The food and items shops are concentrated in the valley bottom (in a 12 km range) in the subregional pole of Tesserete, Rivera and Taverne and are very good supplied. In the small and medium communes these is a lack of first necessity food shops. The postal services, “La Posta”, follows a policy of centralization of the counters and, in substitution, offers to marginal areas an itinerant service. Mail distribution is guaranteed by the federal law. Electricity: in peripheral areas distribution is yet by cable and without circuit, which involves frequent interruptions, in opposition to the suburban areas where cables are buried.

4.2.6 Resumee test area RVL

In most domains, the standard of public services in the test area Regione Tre Valli is rather high and the inhabitants are relatively satisfied. By the interviews have resulted the following problems to solve:  Improve the private a public traffic to reach Lugano: It is necessary to plan a "Metrò del Vedeggio" in order to strengthening the public service with scheduled connections, and realize preferential lanes to reach the urban agglomerate.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 19  Adapt the postal car services to the new needs of the clients and to the structure of the settlements.  Improve a police service of proximity for prevention and traffic coordination /security.  Improve the utilization of internet in the public administration of the communities  Realize virtual counters for information.  The land needs to be managed: local associations try to find another use for keep it tilled  The villages with the higher urbanisations (nearer to Lugano) lacks of social life and need to be revitalized.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 20 Fig. 6 Public services in RVL : problems and perspectives (Source: PUSEMOR – SEREC; Expert-Interviews summer 2005) Domain of public service Current difficulties / Perspectives challenges (opportunities / threats)

Maintain standard Partnership public – private Bus services More flexible connections / Reductions due to federal politics smaller cars and finances Scheduled timing Railway services Maintain standard Reductions due to federal politics and finances Transport Transport Future problems for the Quality of roads Maintain standard communities to maintain their roads because of the costs Bette structure to take car of the community Communities unions Local administration Financial problems (aggregations) More duties and financial reductions due to federal politics

Public Public Other public Change of federal and cantonal Maintain standard

Administration Administration administration politics Proximity police services Police station Maintain standard Change of cantonal politics Hospitals / health care Maintain standard Change of federal and cantonal centres politics Change of cantonal politics Mobile nursing Maintain standard Expenses

Health care / care/ Health Change of cantonal politics care for elderly elderly carefor Home for the elderly Maintain standard Expenses Change of cantonal politics Kindergarten Maintain standard Expenses Change of cantonal politics Primary school Maintain standard Expenses Secondary school Change of cantonal politics Maintain standard Culture Culture (lower level) Expenses Improve aimed services

Child care / education / / education care/ Child Other School Maintain standard Change of cantonal politics Expenses Change of federal politics Telephony Satisfactory Liberalisation of the market

on Tv and radio Satisfactory Political decision Improve the connections in Internet Satisfactory

Telecommunicati marginal areas Every days shops Save the reaming shops Income not sufficient day Every needs Post / office Keep the service Change of federal politic

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 21 4.3 Test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino

4.3.1 Private and public transport

Roads / private transport The cantonal roads are good. The postal car service is good but doesn't cover the changed necessities of the inhabitants: more flexibility. There is a lack of agricultural and forest roads allowing to handle the territory.

Railways / connections outwards Satisfying public transport service with the risk that it could be reduced at any moment by political decisions (one line was kept in service by a governmental decision). No railway line exist in the region, except a tourist mountain train reaching the top of the Generoso Mountain.

4.3.2 Public administration: social services (social care/health care/ elderly), police, advisory

Public administration The Canton wants to impose the joining of the small communities, but the management of problems is difficult. Presently those small communities have important difficulties to handle the current administration particularly in territorial management.

Social services Social services and other structures, like Spitex, are good; they are managed at level of Mendrisiotto. Private homes for elderly people in and in Arogno, belonging to the cantonal planning Then they will kept and renwed.

Police, advisory For the police the region depend from the communities of Chiasso and Mendrisio.

4.3.3 Education: kindergartens and statutory primary schools, professional and personal training

Kindergartens and primary schools Kindergarten and elementary school are organized at intercommunal or communal level.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 22 Opportunities for professional and personal training Secondary schools outside RVM. There are non problem to reach professional or superior schools. Good offer in the center next to the region (Chiasso, Mendrisio and Lugano).

4.3.4 Telecommunication: telephony, internet, Tv and radio

Television and radio Internet and telephony Fixed telephony is without problems, all inhabited areas are served. Mobile telephony don't cover the whole area, there are even problems with interferences by italian operators. In some areas, national TV channels are not received, while italian channels are ADSL service does not reach marginal villages notwithstanding the protest of the RVM (reason: insufficient number of users)

4.3.5 Every day needs: food and non food items, fuel, postal services

The village shops, selling first necessity goods, close. In the '90s the RVM supported the resumption of the activity where possible through private individuals or cooperatives, but the shops have difficulties to be economically sustainable. The postal services, “La Posta”, follows a policy of centralization of the counters and, in substitution, offers to marginal areas an itinerant service. Mail distribution is guaranteed by the federal law. Electricity service is good (financial problems for the strengthening of the network in distant zones for remote farms).

4.3.6 Resumee test area RVM

In most domains, the standard of public services in the test area Regione Valle di Muggio Val Mara e Salorino is satisfactory. The following problems remains to solve:  Every days needs (food and non food) The shops need to find a selling way which allows them to be profitable.  Postal car services should become more flexible

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 23 Fig. 7 Public services in RVM : problems and perspectives (Source: PUSEMOR – SEREC; Expert-Interviews summer 2005) Domain of public service Current difficulties / Perspectives challenges (opportunities / threats)

No changes Maintain standard Bus services Reductions due to federal politics More flexible connections and finances

Transport Transport Impossibility of the communities Quality of roads Maintain standard to maintain their roads Financial problems. Communities unions Difficult to mange the current Local administration (aggregations) affairs More duties and financial Public Public reductions due to federal politics Administration Administration Police station Maintain standard Change of cantonal politic Hospitals / health care Maintain standard Change of federal and cantonal centres politics Change of cantonal politic Mobile nursing Maintain standard Expenses

Health care / care/ Health Change of cantonal politic care for elderly elderly carefor Home for the elderly Maintain standard Expenses Coordination Reduction of the number of Kindergarten Change of cantonal politic children therefore classes Expenses

Culture Culture Change of cantonal politic education / / education Child care / care/ Child Primary school Maintain standard Expenses Change of federal politics Telephony Satisfactory Liberalisation of the market

ation Tv and radio Satisfactory Political decision

Internet Satisfactory Improve the connections Telecommunic Every days shops Save the reaming shops Income not sufficient day Every needs Post / office Keep the service Change of federal politic

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 24

5 Best practices in the test area, their specifics and conditions for transferability

The selection and the processing of the best pratices of Ticino is in progress. At the moment, 4 examples in several domains of public services are collected. More information about in fig. Fig. 8 and in the appendix.

Fig. 8 Three best practices from Ticino (Source: SEREC ; Expert-Interviews summer 2005) Name Domain Locality /region Territorial extension Nottambus Public transport Regione Valli di From Lugano to Lugano Tesserete Line of 17 km

Postal service in town hall Every day needs / post Cresciano (RTV) Local (community) 600 inhabitants

" La corte del duca" Every day needs / shop and bar Medeglia (RVL) Local (community) Restaurant and shop in 400 inhabitants town hall

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 25

6 Conclusion and next steps

This chapter will be completed by the lead partners after the meeting in Bled.

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 26 7 Appendix

In the next pages, the 3 best practices are presented.

7.1 Nottambus 1. Domain(s) Public transport

2. Locality / region / Country Tesserete – Lugano, Regione Valli di Lugano, Switzerland

3. Territorial level/extent Sub region Valle del Cassarate and Capriasca.

4. Target groups Young people and people who can't or won't drive.

5. Basic idea / aims / how does it work A night service during the weekends (friday and saturday) to relay the center with the periphery.

6. Why it is considered innovative Before this initiative didn't exist any connections after 08.00 pm

7. Start / how long it has been running 2003

8. Costs / funding About 20'000 – 25'000 €/year totally cost, deduced the income of the tickets about 15'000- 20'000 €/year divided between 8 communities.

9. More information (website, contact person) Regione Valli di Lugano, Corrado Piattini, regional manager. +41 (0)91 943 12 26 www.vallidilugano.ch

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 27 7.2 Postal service in town hall 1. Domain(s) Every day needs / post

2. Locality / region / Country Comune di Cresciano, Regione Tre Valli, Switzerland

3. Territorial level/extent Local (community): 600 inhabitants

4. Target groups All the residents of the community of Cresciano.

5. Basic idea / aims / how does it work Guarantee of one basic service for the population.

6. Why it is considered innovative Mixing up postal service with public service (town hall). Want of the politics to keep a basic service for the inhabitants in the village.

7. Start / how long it has been running 2004

8. Costs / funding Total costs: 17'000 €/year Incomes: • 10'000 €/year form postal for the first 3 years service (after the 3 years start the subvention of the post will be reduced at 6'000 €/year • sells of services

9. More information (website, contact person) Ferruccio Tognini, major of Cresciano CH – 6705 Cresciano Tel: +41 (0)91 863 12 75

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 28 7.3 Restaurant and shop in town hall

1. Domain(s) Every day needs

2. Locality / region / Country Comune di Medeglia , Regione Valli di Lugano, Switzerland

3. Territorial level/extent Local (community): 400 inhabitants

4. Target groups All the residents of the community of Medeglia, elderly people.

5. Basic idea / aims / how does it work Guarantee of one basic service for the population. Keep alive the village.

6. Why it is considered innovative Mixing up restaurant and a shop with public service (town hall). Want of the politics to keep a basic service for the inhabitants in the village.

7. Start / how long it has been running 2002

8. Costs / funding ??

9. More information (website, contact person)

Aurelio Scervella, major of Medeghlia 6809 Medeglia tel. +41 (0)91 946 16 55 fax +41 (0)91 946 29 88 e-mail [email protected]

PUSEMOR/ Report Ticino / SEREC / 15.07.06 29