Geoparks: Model Regions for Sustainable Development?

Abstract

Geoparks are seen by UNESCO as model regions for sustainable development, which are to combine protection and regional economic value creation in an extensive bottom-up participation process with the help of a holistic concept. Geoparks are regions that have high quality geopotentials, a unique earth and landscape history as well as a strategy for sustainable regional development, scientific research, environmental education and education for sustainable development. The Geopark movement is comparatively young. The European Geoparks Network has existed since 2000, National Geoparks in Germany since 2002, and UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) since 2015. The extent to which geoparks can live up to the expectations placed in them as model regions for sustainable development and which similarities and differences exist to large-scale protected areas such as national parks and biosphere reserves is presented in general form as well as in more detail for the case study of the UGGp Swabian Alb.