The Cultural Value of Protected Areas as Models of Sustainable Development

In recognition of the urgent need to drive the transition to truly sustainable development, it is our belief that the divisions still distinguishing economic, social and environmental dimensions of human activities can impede the creation of conditions for sustainable development. Our paper investigates reference models for integrating such economic, social and environmental perspectives of sustainable development, proposing a systems approach. We take into consideration protected areas as models of sustainable development by means of a case study, discussing (1) the need to integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of human activity; and (2) opportunities offered by protected areas as reference models for promoting sustainable development in the wider surrounding territory. Findings highlight the cultural value of protected areas as models of sustainable development leveraging territorial governance on the basis of a systems approach.