The History of Utilization and Management of Commons and Consequences of Current Social Change in the Alpine Region of Austria

Sixty-seven percent of Austria’s total territory complies with the EU-definition of a ‘mountainous area’. Nearly half of its 2,351 communities live and work in this region. The forest area amounts to 47 % (EU 27 %). Without mountain forests, which stabilize mountain slopes on a lasting basis, a large part of the Austrian territory would become inhabitable. Thus the management of these protection forests is of essential importance for the safeguarding of the living space in the valleys. The idea of sustainable management of forests and pastures is a many centuries old tradition in the Austrian Alps. However, it is in the commons-related legislation that this idea was first laid down. The members of commons have participated in the administration and management of local resources (forests, pastures, alpine pastures) since the thirteenth century. Common property is still one of the prevalent categories of rural landownership and therefore a major factor in land use planning and policy in Austria. However contemporary economic trends cause severe problems in mountain farming. At present the decline of active farmers gives way to increasing social conflicts, arising within the commons as well as between commons and communities. This chapter addresses the historical and contemporary role commons have played and still play in the rural society and discusses their future perspectives within the framework of migration and urbanisation.