Indicators-based spatial SWOT analysis: supporting the strategic planning and management of complex territorial systems

E. Comino and V. Ferretti

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: Optimizing the multiple uses of land represents a challenge for today's governments and land managers. In particular, protected area planning should satisfy the demand for multiple land uses, while offering optimal protection of our natural resources. The present research aims at providing park's managers, as well as other stakeholders and decision makers, with a scientifically sound and practical approach to zoning protection levels and supporting the strategic planning phase in nature conservation. This paper thus proposes and tests the development of an indicators-based spatial Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis for a complex territorial system with exceptional multiple values. As a result, key conservation priorities and warning spots are identified to support the subsequent decision-making phase. The innovative value of the research stems not only from the integrated methodological approach based on the combination between spatial analysis, indicators systems and the traditional SWOT analysis, but also from the contextual characteristics and physical extension of the area under investigation. Moreover, the integrated and innovative framework proposed in the paper has also international significance, thanks to the possibility of replicating the research strategy and methodological approach in other contexts.

Keywords: SWOT analysis; geographic information systems; spatial indicators; protected areas; park; total economic value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J50 Q15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-01
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Published in Ecological Indicators, January, 2016, 60, pp. 1104-1117. ISSN: 1470-160X

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