Langenbruck:
Ökozentrum (EcoCenter)for Appropriate Technology & Social Ecology
Langenbruck:
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| Country: | a) Western Europe | ,b) Switzerland |
| Language: | |
| Type: | Project, 1 |
| Area: | Outskirts, < 20,000 |
| Actors: | NGO, Publ.-priv. partnership |
| Funding: | Publ.-priv. partnership |
| Topics: | Consultancy |
| Environmental education | |
| Information and public participation | |
| Objectives: | Improve access to information |
| Increase public awareness | |
| Increase use of clean technology | |
| Instruments: | Demonstration and pilot project |
| Public participation |
The independent, non-profit Ökozentrum (Ecocenter) Langenbruck was created in 1979 with the objectives of dealing in an integrated fashion with a comprehensive range of local as well as global issues. The Ecocenter works with sustainable development initiatives, and attempts to in a balanced way consider ecological, social, and economic challenges and at the same time recognize international concerns of solidarity. The Langenbruck Ecocenter is found to be worthy of attention for the following reasons:
The Langenbruck Ecocenter, self-described as a "Workshop for the 21st Century," was created in 1979 by the Foundation for Appropriate Technology and Social Ecology (SATS). Still backed by SATS after all these years, a primary objective has always been an active support for economic, ecological and social development. In doing this, the Ecocenter sees itself as a networking agent between the business community, public agencies, research institutions and civil society. Langenbruck is involved with as many as 50 different projects at any one time, which are related to one of the two following thematic areas:
1. Partner of the Innovative community (selected projects)
The Ecocenter has for many years been working with area communities in the development of demonstration projects. A current area of concentration is providing support to cities and towns and their Local Agenda 21 initiatives. While Langenbruck has assisted a number of regional LA 21 efforts in recent years, a current focus is on the Rheinfelden LA 21, a cross-border LA 21 project between Switzerland and Germany that involves the Rheinfelden towns on both sides of the Rhine River. Inspired by the Agenda 21 Initiative that was launched in 1992 at the United Nations Conference for Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Rheinfelden communities in 1999 took on the challenge of identifying a common vision for regional future development. This was to be done through an open and democratic process, with the general objective of defining an appropriate version of sustainable development, meaning a balanced consideration of economic, social and ecological perspectives and goals.
Langenbruck has been contracted by the Swiss Federal Agency for Environment, Forests and Land (BUWAL) to manage the nationally-oriented Local Agenda 21, Switzerland: Information Platform homepages (German and French language).
2. Laboratory for the energy of tomorrow (selected projects)
Energy projects include research and development of renewable energy sources, for example solar and wind energy and micro hydro-electric power systems. Work with new energy forms includes the technical realization of energy concepts and the assistance of new products to emerge onto the market. Efforts are coordinated with governmental agencies, universities, technical experts, small and middle-sized businesses as well as industrial partners. Demonstration projects are carried out to test the potentials of new energy ideas, and are done in coordination with partners both locally and internationally.
Ecocenter staff have accumulated many years of experience in their respective fields, and typically work on contract as consultants or as moderators, with public and private organizations and institutions, and with projects ranging from the development of new policies to the implementation of new technologies. More than 10 people are employed by the Ecocenter to organized the various projects. The staff have varied backgrounds, including everything from engineering to environmental sciences to cultural and agricultural studies.
SATS, the Foundation for Appropriate Technology and Social Ecology, supports the Ecocenter by providing it a physical home as well as valuable contacts with public and private organizations.
The Ökozentrum Langenbruck (Ecocenter) has been backed by the SATS foundation since its founding in 1979, but is financed through project contracts with a large range of public and private organizations.
Over its couple of decades of work, the Langenbruck Ecocenter has established a name for itself, and helped to bring many ideas as well as technologies into the mainstream. The Ecocenter has managed to adapt to the changing times, and convince people of the value of integrated and participatory planning and development, if it is called appropriate technology in the 1970s or sustainable development in the 1990s.
The Ecocenter was recently awarded a prize by a Lucerne Foundation for exceptional achievements in Environmental Protection. For the year 2000 the Ecocenter was recognized for its many years of work, especially in the areas of renewable energies, but also for its work with business partners and academic institutions, and for its advisory role with industry, trade and government.
Zwischenbericht zur "Grenzüberschreitenden Lokalen Agenda 21 beider Rheinfelden"
Interim Report "Cross-Border Local Agenda 21 for both Rheinfelden" (2000)
Stadt Rheinfelden (Baden), Stadt Rheinfelden (CH), Agenda-Büro beider Rheinfelden
Ökozentrum Langenbruck (Ecocenter)
www.oekozentrum.ch
Ökozentrum Langenbruck (Ecocenter) (English)
www.oekozentrum.ch/english/indexeng.htm
Gemeinde Langenbruck
www.baselland.ch/docs/gemeinden/langenbruck/main_langenbruck.htm#top
Local Agenda 21 for both Rheinfelden
www.lokaleagenda21.ch
Local Agenda 21, Switzerland: Information Platform
www.agenda21local.ch
| Name | : | Leichsenring |
| Firstname | : | Frank |
| Telefon | : | +41 (0) 62 387 31 11 |
| Telefax | : | +41 (0) 62 390 16 40 |
| Address | : | Oekozentrum Langenbruck |
| Fachgruppe Gemeindeentwicklung | ||
| Schwengistrasse 12 | ||
| CH - 4438 Langenbruck | ||
| Switzerland | ||
Langenbruck is a picturesque town in the mountains in the Swiss Basel region. The local economy is dominated by small businesses, including crafts and tourism. The town has a long history dating back at least into the 12th century.
Project was added at 05.09.2001
Project was changed at 05.09.2001