National and landscape parks as a part of sustainable regional development in Northern Poland

Anetta Waśniewska,Hanna Kruk,O Dębicka,W Rogula-Kozłowska,P Rogula-Kopiec

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20185701020

Abstract

Sustainable development at a local and regional level depends on many factors. One of them, strictly related to biodiversity conservation and proper ecosystem functioning, is the presence of such protected areas as national (NP) and landscape (LP) parks in the region. Such forms of nature conservation are established in places of high environmental values. However, this also means restrictions and prohibitions that may limit possibility of local development. The main aim of the research is an attempt to study an influence of LP and NP on socio-economic development of communes in three provinces in the north of Poland (Western Pomerania, Pomerania, Warmia and Mazury). The results of examination survey sent to local authorities were used in the research. The results are ambiguous and may depend on the location of a particular park. Moreover, the majority of research respondents did not believe that the presence of such protected areas have a strong negative impact on communes, the local development and also pointed to some benefits related to NP and LP, like enhancing tourist attractiveness of the area.

Highlights

One can mention the presence of large-area nature forms, including national parks (NP) and landscape parks (LP)
In case of landscape parks the list of bans is shorter (17 items) and such restrictions can be, but do not have to be, obligatory within the area of a particular LP [2]
In case of communes located in national park, for one more than 50% of the total area was in the NP, and for 2 other – less than 50%

Summary

Introduction

In case of landscape parks the list of bans is shorter (17 items) and such restrictions can be, but do not have to be, obligatory within the area of a particular LP (it depends on specifics of the park and its nature protection plan) [2]. It is commonly assumed that the presence of protected, areas marked with high nature values have a certain, negative impact on development potential of the communes located within the park’s borders [3, 4]. The aim of the research is to assess the impact of the national and landscape parks location, restrictions being, both, an effect of applicable law and the results of actions carried out by park service, on socio-economic development of communes situated within the NP or LP boundaries

Research method

Empirical results

Findings

Conclusions