Title: Transboundary cooperation in protected area's management and its contribution to sustainable development

Authors: Sigrun Lange

Addresses: E.C.O. Germany GmbH, Eggernstr. 6, 81667 Munich, Germany

Abstract: This study surveys the factors for success or failure of transboundary cooperation and asks subsequently whether transboundary protected area complexes contribute to a sustainable development of the respective region. Thirty guided (phone or face-to-face) interviews have been carried out in three case study sites in Europe and a workshop with 30 participants was held during a meeting of EUROPARC's TransParcNet. Additionally, the 'change formula', one of the basic principles of change management, has been applied to analyse the underlying causes for success or failure of intended changes. It was found that personal contacts and informal events are key factors for a successful and long-lasting cooperation between neighbouring protected areas. Cross-border cooperation in nature conservation contributes to the environmental and social sustainability of a region and even channels funds to the often marginalised border regions suffering from a weak economy.

Keywords: transboundary cooperation; transboundary protected areas; conservation management; success factors; failure factors; change formula; sustainable development; environmental protection; change management; personal contacts; informal events; cross-border cooperation; regional sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2014.057895

International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2014 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.158 - 169

Published online: 25 Oct 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article