Ostana is a tiny Occitan village in Piedmont, Italy, with only about 89 residents, perched in the Monviso mountain area. Once almost abandoned, it began a process of resettlement in the late 1980s that slowly rebuilt the community and gave the village new life. Today it is recognised as a leading model of alpine regeneration, combining architectural renovation, cultural projects, and welfare services.
Community characteristics
The village is mountainous and remote, with a fragile, largely seasonal economy, but it has managed to turn its landscape and cultural identity into valuable assets. A mix of returnees, new settlers, and second-home owners live alongside long-term residents, all engaged in a shared project of creating a contemporary way of living in the Alps. Ostana’s strategy has been to preserve its heritage while opening to innovation, hosting research collaborations, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs.
Community strengths and smartness
The smart strategy of Ostana is not only about increasing population numbers but also about improving quality of life. The local community is highly active, supported and enriched by a broader network of people connected to the village from outside. A key milestone in this process was the creation of the Lou Pourtoun cultural centre, designed to renew community spirit and provide a hub for civic and cultural life. Together with the Residency Programme and strong collaborations with universities and research centres, these initiatives have turned Ostana into both an educational space in the Alps and a living laboratory for social innovation, scientific research, and artistic creation.
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