Perceptions and evaluations of biosphere reserves by local residents in Switzerland and Ukraine

Wallner, Astrid; Bauer, Nicole; Hunziker, Marcel (2007). Perceptions and evaluations of biosphere reserves by local residents in Switzerland and Ukraine. Landscape and urban planning, 83(2-3), pp. 104-114. Amsterdam: Elsevier 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.03.006

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In a cross-cultural study perceptions of local people living in the surroundings of biosphere reserves in Switzerland and Ukraine were examined using the method of qualitative interviews. In the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch in Switzerland people stated that they hoped for a better regional economic development due to the existence of the biosphere reserve. However, at the same time people feared further restrictions regarding land-use. In the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve located in Transcarpathia/Ukraine people tended to connect certain conditions – such as the high price for wood – directly to the existence of the biosphere reserve, when in fact these conditions and the biosphere reserve were separate, parallel developments. In both case studies three key-categories influencing local residents’ perceptions and evaluations of biosphere reserves could be identified. These categories are (1) the economic situation, (2) the history of nature protection, and (3) the power balance between the involved stakeholders. Paying close attention to those three categories will help planners and managers of protected areas to better understand the reasoning of local residents for or against a biosphere reserve in their area.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Institute of Geography > NCCR North-South Management Centre [discontinued]
10 Strategic Research Centers > Centre for Development and Environment (CDE)

UniBE Contributor:

Wallner-Schwab, Astrid Susanne

ISSN:

0169-2046

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:59

Last Modified:

18 Jul 2023 15:37

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.03.006

Web of Science ID:

000251814200002

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.25554

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/25554 (FactScience: 59107)

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