Adapting Alpine buildings and tourism to warmer temperatures

The development of MountResilience solutions in the Tyrol involved a diverse group of stakeholders. MountResilience partners collaborated with Universität Innsbruck for research and digital twin modelling, with Standortagentur Tirol as regional demonstrator, and two specialised local agencies, Klimabündnis Tirol and Energieagentur Tirol, to support building adaptation and energy efficiency measures. On the practitioner side, a nursing home served as the direct beneficiary for heat resilience testing, while ski resorts and cable car companies partnered on the transition to sustainable year-round tourism. To replicate these solutions elsewhere, a similar combination of stakeholders would be essential: research institutions for simulation and foresight capabilities, regional development agencies to facilitate coordination, climate and energy organisations to implement building-level measures, and local tourism operators to drive the shift away from snow-dependent models. 

The key replicable elements centre on the application of digital twin technology, which allows for the simulation of future climate scenarios and the virtual testing of adaptation measures such as green and white roofs, green façades, improved insulation and energy-efficient ventilation systems. Beyond the technology itself, the methodology of using simulations and foresight to guide adaptation offers a transferable framework for other mountainous areas. This is complemented by a collaborative process involving direct engagement with stakeholders, including ski resorts and cable car companies, to facilitate dialogue on transitioning towards sustainable, less snow-dependent tourism models. The overarching lesson for replication is that adaptation is most effective when technological solutions are considered together with the social and economic realities of the region.