Greening Local Economies

Today, the functions of many Nature Parks in Europe have metamorphosed, from the time of their conception some five or six decades ago. Triggered by increasing knowledge about the importance of existing ecosystem services, in park areas, on adjacent local inhabitants, parks have moved from areas of pure conservation to areas that combine environmental preservation with other socioeconomic demands in regional development. These multifunctional characteristics have projected Nature Parks as necessary tools for realizing sustainable development in local areas and have necessitated modifications in management strategies. Examining two official Nature Parks in Luxembourg (Haute Sűre and Our), this book explains the extent to which strategies are contributing to the appreciation of Nature Parks by local, regional and national stakeholders, as instruments for greening local economies, for the purpose of attaining sustainable regional development. Enough for policy making, it is hoped that the analysis would provide helpful insights on contemporary approaches for influencing innovation and diversification in regional economies, as well as for maintaining traditional sustainable processes.