Innovative Local Development Initiatives in the Eastern Alps: Forest Therapy, Land Consolidation Associations and Mountaineering Villages

Abstract

Since the 19th century, Italy’s mountain regions have suffered from depopulation and land abandonment. How can we counter this phenomenon? Here, we present three cases of innovative and participatory approaches implemented in the Eastern Alps of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Forest therapy is a new approach to medical therapy based on the beneficial effects on the human health of frequenting forests. It also has the potential to provide space for local economic initiatives, e.g., hospitality services. Land consolidation associations were created in France to collectively restore the productivity of fragmented and abandoned farmland. They can evolve into long-term planning for the conservation of landed wealth and the valorization of territories. Finally, Mountaineering villages have the potential to develop a more sustainable form of tourism by fostering a sense of responsibility for the natural and cultural heritage of the European Alps, in accordance with the Alpine Convention. These initiatives share the involvement of local actors in the definition of local development strategies, the capability of enhancing endogenous resources and increasing the environmental value of places, the importance of offering qualified and organized services, and the ability to support the local socioeconomic system. The adoption of innovative and participatory approaches such as these has the potential to revert depopulation and economic depression trends in mountain areas.

Forest Therapy Research in Europe: A Scoping Review of the Scientific Literature

“…The social aspects of forest therapy extend to its influence on social cohesion, community wellbeing, and addressing social inequalities: cultural and societal perceptions of nature and forests have been explored, alongside economic implications such as their role in eco-tourism, impact on local economies, and cost-benefit dynamics [69][70][71][72][73]. Additionally, studies have investigated educational applications, technological advancements (benefits of virtual forest contemplation), and the role of forest therapy in European public policy [74][75][76][77][78][79][80].…”

Revitalization Potential of Marginal Areas for Sustainable Rural Development in the Puglia Region, Southern Italy: Part I: A Review

“…Therefore, it is essential to consider socio-economic and environmental factors, particularly in the most marginal mountainous regions, to support development projects and innovative land consolidation policies [14]. The depopulation and land abandonment of Italy's mountain regions since the 19th century have resulted in problematic or underdeveloped areas from an economic development standpoint [21,22]. Such abandonment has led to biodiversity loss, increased fire frequency and intensity, soil erosion and desertification, loss of cultural and aesthetic values, reduced landscape diversity, and reduced water provision [23].…”

Can natural forest expansion contribute to Europe's restoration policy agenda? An interdisciplinary assessment

“…Agricultural actors tend to focus either on agricultural boom regions, where NFE does not occur, or they see NFE as a process to be stopped or even reversed by subsidizing agriculture (Frei et al 2022 ). For a few years now, some non-governmental actors such as the NGO Rewilding Europe have been actively promoting rewilding and wildlife comeback on abandoned land, highlighting its benefits through a “nature-based economy” (Rewilding Europe 2022 ), a concept that can also be found in the academic literature (Bassi et al 2022 ). Thus, new narratives connected to land abandonment may be emerging (Frei et al 2022 ).…”