Management and Perception of Metropolitan Natura 2000 Sites: A Case Study of La Mandria Park (Turin, Italy)

Luca Battisti, Filippo Corsini, Natalia Marzia Gusmerotti and Federica Larcher
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Luca Battisti: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
Filippo Corsini: Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies—Institute of Management, 56127 Pisa (PI), Italy
Natalia Marzia Gusmerotti: Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies—Institute of Management, 56127 Pisa (PI), Italy
Federica Larcher: Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: The European Commission promotes management practices for nature conservation and human well-being, requiring the involvement of users in Natura 2000 sites. The research aim was to investigate the user’s aesthetic perception in relation to the adoption of different management measures, within an Italian metropolitan Natura 2000 site. The research was performed in La Mandria Park in 2018 (1780 ha). The method was based on a participatory approach (interviews, questionnaires and participatory mapping), involving both park managers and users. Four main landscape elements were identified: lawns, woodlands, lines of trees and water bodies. Questionnaires (N = 232) were analyzed by descriptive and regression analysis. Mapped preferred places were analyzed using ecological indexes on 500 m land use buffers. A gendered perception of the aesthetic quality was detected, demonstrating that women are more strictly connected to nature than men. Users involved in park activities better perceived the aesthetic quality, while regular visitors had a worst perception. From participatory mapping (N = 137), it emerges that the eight preferred places are characterized by a mixed land use with different maintenance regimes and ecological values. Users’ perceptions should be integrated in a co-management plan in metropolitan Natura 2000 sites, combining nature conservation with user enjoyment.

Keywords: ecosystem services; stakeholders; questionnaires; urban horticulture; gendered perspective; aesthetic quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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