The Engadin community of La Punt Chamues-ch is strengthening its position as an attractive place to live, work and holiday. Parallel to several major projects in the village, the municipality has begun a process to develop a future-oriented local and tourism strategy. The first parts of them were presented on Thursday and discussed with the public.
In the next five years, around 300 million francs will be invested in infrastructure and restoration in La Punt Chamues-ch. The “InnHub La Punt” innovation campus, the restoration of the Inn and the Chamuerabach, the new bypass with tunnel and various construction projects by the municipality to create residential and commercial space will noticeably change the face and inner values of La Punt Chamues-ch. La Punt will attract new guests, new jobs and new residents.
The municipality wants to prepare for the major projects and support them as much as possible in their impact on residents, local businesses and investors. At the same time, however, the characteristics of La Punt Chamues-ch should also be preserved and maintained. A new local and tourism strategy should therefore be based on three pillars: the village community, the relationship with nature and the environment, and the combination of tradition and innovation.
A new meeting place for young and old is being created.
“The inhabitants of La Punt Chamues-ch are the heart of La Punt Chamues-ch. I mean locals, locals and guests,” said Mayor Peter Tomaschett at the start of an information session organized by the municipality.
The place name “La Punt” (the bridge) symbolizes the connection between the districts and sides of the valley, between the various population and guest groups, between nature and infrastructure and between traditional values and the innovation that emerges in the village, said Tomaschett.
The information session on Thursday focused on the “InnHub La Punt” innovation campus, which is to be built from next year and opened in 2025. Co-initiator Jon Erni provided information about the project and the current state of planning.
In doing so, he went beyond the construction of star architect Norman Foster and presented the InnHub as a meeting place between people from a wide range of backgrounds, education and life models. A place where new ideas arise and are developed. “With its architecture and focus on co-working, culture, health and as a training center for athletes, the InnHub will create a great appeal for Engadin and bring many people to La Punt and the region,” said Erni. “In the end, the surrounding communities and the entire population also benefit from this. Jobs are being created, activities are offered all year round and a new meeting place for young and old is being created in La Punt.”
Visitors to the information event were able to ask Erni questions, contribute ideas for the InnHub and see the InnHub pop-up that was already running.
“La Punt will change, but it will remain our La Punt.”
The InnHub and other private, municipal and cantonal projects will allow the permanent population of La Punt Chamues-ch to grow from 700 to 900 people in the coming years, said Mayor Peter Tomaschett. In future, the municipality will consistently focus its projects, tasks and investments on the three pillars of community, nature, tradition and innovation. “La Punt will change, but it will remain our La Punt. A traditional Engadin mountain village where you enjoy living, working and vacationing!”
The development of the new local and tourism strategy for La Punt Chamues-ch is broad-based. In addition to numerous discussions with interest groups and service partners, the general population is also invited to participate. A workshop will take place on June 24, during which previous work will be discussed and further ideas will be developed together. In August, the report on the new local and tourism strategy will be presented to the municipal council and the public.
This text was published as a media release by the municipality of La Punt Chamues-ch on June 9, 2022.