This pilot project dealt with existing planning instruments and acts supporting the concept of sustainable development in Neusiedl am See complemented by the concept of Green Mapmaking.
Step by step… Data collection started during the Erasmus Intensive Programme “Intensive Program Responsible Use of Soil and Land and Regional Development” (IPSOIL II) in spring 2006 and continued well into autumn. Belatedly, “Ne´Mo”, was added to the map in December 2006. A draft selection of criteria and a comprehensive list of definitions was complied between November 2006 and February 2007. The list needed some update and refinement during the stage of data analysis in spring 2007. A first version of the map was drafted between May and July 2007 using the free, open source software GRASS 6.2. At this stage, I had to take a break for months in order finish my thesis and to graduate. To be able to finalize the map, representatives of organisations displayed were contacted by email in January and again, in March 2008. This first edition of Green Map Neusiedl am See was finalised and published in April 2008.
Participation of stakeholders Stakeholders were temporarily involved at various stages of the project. During the collection of data and the selection of criteria they provided many excellent ideas. Later, private organisations displayed by the map were contacted by email and asked to consent to being mentioned by the map. The project was presented to the residents of Neusiedl am See and the media on three occasions, i.e. in March 2006, June 2006 and March 2007.
Experiences Well, they are mixed, of course. While collecting data and explaining the ideas underlying my work, many residents of Neusiedl am See I talked to showed interest in the project and provided many new insights. Some stakeholders, on the other hand, asked me why I was not mapping one of the neighbouring communities, since they had much more to show. Unfortunately, no one really wanted to participate continuously in the project. Many stakeholders displayed by the draft version of the map were not interested at all or ignored my mails completely (so I will never know). One firm dealing with sailing in the broader sense was offended by my suggestion to be included due to their offer of second hand boats and repair services. Unfortunately, they have not responded to any of my mails, so far. Instead, they contacted my university’s rectorate demanding an explanation for this perceived economic degradation. Fortunately, I had graduated already, so it was not my university’s business any more. The site has been deleted nevertheless.
Status This project is available to anyone interested. It can be developed further, possible follow-up projects include a youth map, an energy map or an extended, regional map centering Lake Neusiedl (e. g. following the the boundaries of UNESCO's Biosphere Reserve Lake Neusiedl, World Heritage Site Lake Neusiedl …etc.).
To recieve a copy of the German edition, please send an email to dorakertesz(at)gmx.at I will send you a zip-file
volunteers
Everyone willing to help and to answer my questions and to talk about him-/herself and the town of Neusiedl...
In diesem Pilotprojekt wurden die für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung von Neusiedl am See förderlichen Planungsinstrumente und Gesetze, und ihre sinnvolle Ergänzung durch das Konzept der Grünen Karten behandelt. Die dargestellten Inhalte befassen sich mit Aspekten nachhaltiger Lokalwirtschaft, örtlicher Kultur und Identität, Naturerlebnis in Neusiedl am See und umweltfreundlichem Verkehr. Das Projekt steht allen Interessierten zur Weiterentwicklung zur Verfügung. Mögliche Nachfolgeprojekte umfassen eine Jugendkarte, Energiekarte oder eine auf die Region (z.B.: Biosphärenreservat, Weltkulturerbe…etc.) ausgeweitete Grüne Karte.
