LinkPAs – Linking networks of protected areas to territorial development, Scientific report

The overall objective of the project “Linking networks of Protected Areas to territorial development” - LinkPAs project - is to explore the role of existing Networks of Protected Areas (NPAs) to define and implement sustainable territorial development strategies and policies. This study was launched by ESPON upon the stakeholders’ request and it seeks to identify emerging trends in governance practices within complex socio-ecological systems (i.e. mountain regions) that are likely to shape a novel approach to natural resource management. Drawing on the activities carried out by existing NPAs, this project seeks to provide significant evidence of the impact that NPAs have on growth at different territorial levels of development. The present Scientific Report provides a description of the conceptual and methodological framework used to carry out this project. It also outlines an overview of existing models of NPA and their governance and regulations within territorial development as well as within the current European policy on Green Infrastructures. In this framework a possible management approach has been proposed for NPAs in order to integrate them within sectoral and development strategies. Special focus on the potential role of local actors (particularly SME) in this process has been indeed developed. According to Targeted Analysis objectives large part of the discussion has devoted to case studies analisys. The report concludes by discussing a set of policy recommendations targeted to stakeholder’s territories.