The process of developing the public survey prior to the Garrotxa Mountain Regional Plan

Abstract

According to the Law regulating Mountainous Areas passed by the Catalan Parlament (2/1983 dated 9th March), the Regional Mountain Plan (Plan Comarcal de Montana) is defined as the basic instrument for the development of and policy application in mountainous areas. Consequently, other measures contemplated in the same law are subordinate to the Plan. The mentioned law is to be enforced in nine regions ("comarcas") in Northern Catalonia, one of which is the Garrotxa district.

Article number 7. 2 of the law contemplates the carrying out of a public questionnaire prior to the application of the Plan, in order to encourage the participation and collaboration of the various local district organizations and bodies, and to gather together requests and suggestions. The public questionnaire is not a socio-economic study of the region, but rather a means of throwing light upon the problems and perspectives for improvement in the quality of life in the region. It is not therefore a study based on objective data, but rather on the personal opinions of the local inhabitants who experience day-to-day problems.