DEMO 1
Lattenbach Valley, Austria

The Nature-Demo project identified one of the infrastructures in Lattenbach Valley, Austria, as requiring significant improvements and upgrades. The Lattenbach Valley, a vital part of the Austrian Alps and home to 5,000 residents and critical infrastructure faces significant threats from climate change-induced erosion and landslides. According to recent climate models in the region, extreme rainfall events are expected to increase, destabilise slopes, and generate dangerous debris flows, placing the habitat and infrastructures directly in the path of destruction.

The NATURE-DEMO project, a collaborative effort between BOKU University, the Torrent and Avalanche Control Authority, The Railway Authority, and contracted construction companies, aims to protect the Lattenbach Valley by constructing a real-world demonstrator that stands out for its innovative approach and comprehensive solutions.

The demonstrator DEMO1 will use a suite of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), such as native alpine reforestation in the upper catchment area to stabilise slopes and reinforce the soil, hybrid engineering solutions to manage water flow and sediment capture along the channel, and a suite of blue infrastructure solutions for the sediment control at the base of the valley.

Monitoring networks will measure NbS effectiveness using advanced analytics and machine learning, integrating data from climate stations, soil moisture sensors, remote sensing, surveying techniques, HD cameras, and on-site damage surveys. This integrated monitoring will allow the Lattenbach Valley to serve as a living laboratory, providing valuable insights into NbS performance, optimising interventions, and enhancing climate resilience. The project will also contribute to a Digital Teaching Lab, training students in environmentally friendly infrastructure design and generating models applicable to other regions' replicators facing similar climate threats.