Lived environments are shaped by their natural settings and different usage forms. In Alpine regions, settlement structures have developed peripherally along the natural valleys, as exemplified by the canton of Graubünden. Influenced by key sectors such as tourism, construction and energy management, there has been an emergence of economic, working, leisure and cultural spaces that are networked to varying degrees. The complex problems associated with their development require holistic approaches and solutions that cannot be managed alone by a single discipline. Working on an interdisciplinary basis, the organisational units active in the research field of alpine region development combine their perspectives and core skills in the following four research focus areas: Economic Policy, Settlement Development, Tourism Development and Construction in Alpine Regions. In doing so, they contribute to a better understanding and the further development of this heavily tourism-influenced living environment. At the same time, approaches from the area of sustainable development and requirements relating to digitalisation are integrated.

In the area of research and development (R&D) as well as knowledge and technology transfer, University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons cooperates closely with companies, public bodies and non-profit organisations. These partners benefit from experts in a wide range of subjects and gain access to modern research infrastructure. This allows them to expand their own expertise. The specialist knowledge of University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons can be accessed in a variety of ways.