EXTENSIVE PROTECTED AREAS AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF THE BAVARIAN FOREST NATIONAL PARK

o exemplo do parque nacional da Floresta da Baviera na Alemanha (“Bayerischer Wald”)

Abstract

This paper focuses on some conceptional, practical and theoretical reflections on sustainable regional development in the context of extensive protected areas. It will be shown that in the course of the global debate on sustainability, protected areas with an integrative character are getting more and more significant. Three different categories of protected areas exist in Germany: natural parks, biosphere reserves and national parks. Transfrontier protected areas are the strength of Europe. The latest scientific discourse shows that in place of an unsophisticated way of thinking about ecology, a new kind of thinking trying to overcome the dichotomy of nature and culture is more and more attracting the notice. This change of perception has a deep impact on a purely nature-oriented sustainability, which especially applies to national parks in Germany. On the basis of an empirical study of the Bavarian Forest National Park, the opportunities and limits of integrative development strategies are identified by opposing the different interests of the affected actors and their contrary logic of economy and protection. It will be pointed out that the diverse perceptions of the actors are deeply constructivist and generate profound areas of conflict. These arising conflicts can just be minimised by an equal dialogue to solve the divergent interests. By elaborating the thesis of a “blocked change”, a socio-critical perspective is drawn on this blockade.