The Minett Unesco Biosphere is the first and only biosphere reserve in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Photo: Maison Moderne.

The Minett Unesco Biosphere is the first and only biosphere reserve in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Photo: Maison Moderne.

On 5 and 6 October, the leaders of the Syndicat intercommunal Pro-Sud met to work together on the definition and implementation of a common regional development strategy for the territory of the Minett Unesco Biosphere.

Spatial planning minister , members of the college of aldermen, municipal councils and technical services of the Pro-Sud municipalities met to discuss a development strategy for the 11 municipalities of the region which constitutes the territory of the Minett Unesco Biosphere.

The leaders expressed their desire to implement a coherent strategy to offer the inhabitants and the local economy concrete opportunities and projects for the . The network is the first and only biosphere reserve in the grand duchy and has been part of the Unesco program "Man and the Biosphere" since October 2020.

Quality of life and preservation of natural resources

Turmes presented the Territorial Development Master Plan (PDAT), which sets goals and measures for sustainable development of Luxembourg until 2050. “It is a question of combining economic development and environmental preservation in order to maintain the quality of life of citizens,” underlined the minister.

The president of Pro-Sud  suggested several elements that could be possible axes of a common vision, including “the economic diversification of the region, new cross-border transport ideas, strengthening regional food production, creating affordable and integrated neighbourhoods, as well as protecting and preserving the region’s unique biodiversity.”

A project for each municipality

Each member municipality--Bettembourg, Differdange, Dudelange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Käerjeng, Kayl-Tétange, Mondercange, Pétange, Rumelange, Sanem and Schifflange--also presented a project that could benefit the entire region. These projects feature a cross-border network of cycling paths or ways to promote local agriculture and sustainable tourism. Other projects focused on the consequences of climate change and how to counter the overheating of urban space by creating green spaces.

Following constructive discussions, the committee agreed to further analyse the 11 projects and to define the priorities of a common vision. The colleges of aldermen of the 11 municipalities will be consulted, and a decision will be made at the next committee meeting.