TRANQUILLITY AREAS MAPPING: UN PROGETTO NEL PARCO NAZIONALE DELLA SILA. PRIMI RISULTATI E IMPORTANZA DELL’INTERVENTO IN EPOCA COVID-19

Abstract

The permanence in natural environments and the contact with nature, even in urban areas of proximity (neighbourhood green areas or condominiums), have a relaxing and regenerative power and stimulate the fundamental vital processes. The relationship with open spaces and greenery is an element that promotes personal and collective well-being already in everyday life. This has become even more relevant during the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis, which has significantly changed individual and social life habits, upsetting interpersonal relationships and the relationship with the outside world often experienced from a window. In this context, the Project "Tranquillity Areas Mapping" is inserted in the Sila National Park, of which we report the first results. Carried out in collaboration between CNR-ISAFOM, Department of Agraria of the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, and Sila National Park, the project aims to identify Areas of Tranquillity within the UNESCO Mab Area of the Park, based on the analysis of qualitative and quantitative parameters that characterize them. In its initial stages (September 2019), the project has seen the activation of participatory processes with the involvement of institutions and key local actors. The work presented here deals with the relevance of participation in the planning and management processes of protected natural areas and, in particular, of national parks. The processes under study play an increasingly important role, especially during the COVID-19 emergency, which has accentuated the need to stimulate public interest in natural parks. Increasingly, natural parks are being recognized for their role in providing environmental ecosystem services. Among these, cultural ecosystem services include preserving those "oases of tranquility" more easily accessible to the population of the territories concerned.  A number of participatory experiences carried out during the project are presented. Several convergent approaches were used, making the most of both e-participation and more traditional forms of confrontation (in-depth interviews, focus groups). Finally, the methods used, and the results obtained from work carried out are indicated as potential developments for mapping the quiet areas of the Sila National Park, in view of sustainable management of the latter.