Neglected agrarian stalls and sheds in the Canton of the Grisons (Switzerland) - Private efforts for their maintenance and the

Insurance of their Future

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Dr. Christian RENFER

Retired director of the office of monument preservation of the Canton of Zurich/Switzerland,

Swiss national expert on monument preservation, Member of ICOMOS Switzerland

Zellwegerweg 2, Uster/Switzerland (chr1943@hotmail.de)

Switzerland – Sovereign little country in in the center of Europe

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Geographic contrast - Green flatland with lakes (Central Plateau) and Snow mountains (Alps)

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The Central Plateau and the Alps- the two great geographic areas of Switzerland

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Central Plateau- Flatland area (Nothern part of Switzerland) with the skyline of the Snow mountains

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The „Alps“ – mountainous alpine area (southern part of Switzerland)

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Characteristics of Agrarian Landscape of the Canton of the Grison in the Eastern Part of Switzerland

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This canton is whole Alpine area with agrarian and touristic structure

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The Grisons - Intact agrarian landscape with all cultural and naturalelements

Early touristic space in Engadine/Grisons around 1900 (Lake of Sils with Hotel “Maloja Palace”) existing again as a modern ***** Hotel

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Rural settlement as a compact rersidential area (Fideris village / Grisons)

Landscape with dispersed habitat (single barns) – Lumnezia valley/Gr

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Diary cattle is the most important ecomomic basis of alpine agriculture (20-30 cows per farm migrating seasonally across three levels)

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Pattern of gradational position of rural habitat (System of seasonal alpine migration)

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A

B

C

C Alps

B temporary

settlements

Permanent village A

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Permanent inhabited basis village as starting point of seasonal alpine migration ( Bergün village / Albula valley, 1000-1500 m o.S.)

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Dispersed haylofts for winter forage (Hay for cows) on the slopesaround the villages (near Vals village /Vals valley) 1000-1500m o.s.

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Middle level of seasonal alpine migration( Wiesneralp/Grisons) 1940 m

16The hamlet was partilally destroyed by fire in 2007 (sequently rebuilt )

Highest level of seasonal alpine migration: alpine pasture with solitaire chalet (Oberalp / Grisons, 2000 - 2500 m o.S.)

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Rural Barn with stable. Hay range with round wood logs, stable in block log walls (Lumnezia valley / Grisons), situated around the villages

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Block log wall on a hay barn in Lumnezia valley and in Yunnan

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Shingle roof on a rural barn weighed down with stones - Flat stone roof on an other barn ( both: Lumnezia valley / Grisons)

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Efforts for the maintenance of the Cultural Landscape in the Grisons

(Lumnezia valley/Grisons)

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Village of Fläsch (Grisons) – Winner of the Swiss National Wakker -Price 2010 for exceptional habitat management

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Modern building in local wood - designed with respect for tradition

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(Lumnezia valley/Grisons)

Village of Trin (Grisons) - Rest area on a nature trail with instructional panels in a modern design

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Village of Bergün (Albula valley)The „ Kurhaus Bergün“ (Spa hotel) was founded after the inauguration of the Albula railway in 1910. Awarded as „Historic Hotel oft the year 2012“

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Promotion of natural food by local farmers in a regional rural network (Davos area /Grisons)

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Longtime project of a private association for the preservation of old unused stables in the Safien Valley 27

A concrete example: The conservation efforts for the

scattered buildings in Safien Valley (part of the Grisons)

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The „Safiental“ (Safien valley) is one of several valleys oft the Grisons with orientation from North to South

View to North

From 12th to 13th century rural Colonists (called « Walser ») came from West (« Wallis ») to settle the Grisons step by step (now in actual time the most of people speaks German and a relict people speaks « Romantsch », the 4th official language in Switzerland

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The « Safiertal » (Safien valley) is very well suited as a natural recreation resort in summer and winter

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The highest potential for tourisme in the « Safien valley » is an intact natural Landscape, especially for hiking

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Working arable land in « Safien valley »:Dispersed rural barns as part of the alpine cultivation in three steps: farm house, barns with stables, barns to place hay, high alpine chalet (Summer season)

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Actual farmer’s management makes unneccessary the old barns of the agrarian landscape in the alpine zone

Different examples of old stables with basis informations in this flyer for promoting the preservation goal of the private Association

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•The building dominates the surrounding landscape to a great extent

•The structure exhibits an integrated, older building substance and has not been significantly altered (original appearance)

•The owner has voluntarily requested contributions for restoration (agreement, mostly for the roof)

•The structure will be given an appropriate use (relevant to preservation condition, infrastructure) but will not be used as a permanent residence

•The restoration work will be performed by skilled craftsmen and will be accompanied by the Monument Preservation Department

Conditions for a financial support to a private building owners in the « Safien stables » project

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Original old forage shelter in collapse (Surselva / Grisons)

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New shingle roof in the Safien valley, restored with the finacial and technical support of the private Association « Safien Stables »

37Annual budget of the association for repairs : ca CHF 250'000.- (ca 1,5 Million RMB)

The association « Safien Stables » initiated a little one-man-factory for shingle making

Other knowledge to impart by specialists in the alpine area: traditional stone roofs, old technology using local ressources

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New hiking track network realized by the Safien tourisme office, the association of « Safien Stables » and the Swiss Hiking Track Network « Schweizer Wanderwege » (with touristic map) in the „Safien valley“

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Conclusions

1. The separation of built areas (Building Zones) and non-built

areas (Agrarian Zones) is one of the fundamental principles of

spatial planning in Switzerland. Naturally this separation also

contributes substantially to the maintenance of the

attractiveness of the landscape and its high recreational value.

2. Certainly there are exceptional regulations which serve for

the explicit preservation of historical buildings and Cultural

Heritage if, this results in concrete preservation and

vitalization.

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The spatial planning activities of the Canton of the Grisons is directed toward

an integrative inclusion of all of the components of the traditional touristic and

cultural landscape as it represents:

1. Significant touristic services, reaching from international five star resorts to

small family hotels

2. Preservation of High-level Cultural Heritage and Natural Landscapes like

the Albula-Bernina Railroad including track and environment (UNESCO World

Heritage since 2008)

3. Promotion of local high-quality agricultural products of local farm

associations (more then 30% controlled biological products)

4. Local and private activities for the maintenance and vitalization of the

Cultural Landscape and Heritage like the “Safier Stable” association since

2003

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Switzerland – Absolutely natural !(Logo of Swiss Tourism)

Thank you for your attention !