In their latest article, Markus Lambracht and Tobias Chilla address the question of the relationship between topography and socioeconomic dynamics. The paper is published in the MountainResearch section of the journal Mountain Research and Development.

The results from the European Alps demonstrate that the situation is highly complex. While some areas experience economic decline, others nearby show clear growth trends.

Our operationalization includes mountain topography, defined as higher elevations and a greater proportion of steep relief. We capture this scope by means of the Topographic Potential Area, i.e. the area that is theoretically suitable for construction. The statistical findings reveal a correlation between topography and actual development patterns, and the cluster analysis clarifies the situation.

The results suggest that accessibility, policy and path dependencies have a greater impact on socioeconomic patterns than topography alone. We conclude that relief is relevant to a certain extent in terms of socioeconomic development, but that the interplay of multiple factors is more decisive.

To cite this article: Lambracht, M. & Chilla, T. (2025): Topography and Socioeconomic Development: The Example of the European Alps. Mountain Research and Development, 45(4). DOI: 10.1659/mrd.2024.00050

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