Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Protection and enhancement of destination appeal
:
Encourage businesses to sustain natural habitats, heritage
sites, aesthetic appeal, and local culture. Prevent degradation
by keeping volumes of tourists within maximum acceptable
limits. Seek business models that can operate pro
creation of the European Geoparks Network (EGN). In
2004, at the
rst international conference on geoparks held
in Beijing China, the 17 existing European geoparks joined
with eight new Chinese national geoparks to form a Global
Network of National Geoparks under the auspices of
UNESCO. But it is important to note that geoparks are
neither a UNESCO program nor a UNESCO initiative.
Today, the idea of geoparks is spreading rapidly around the
world in all continents, with Africa launching its Geoparks
Network (AGN) in 2009 (Errami
2009
; Errami et al.
2012
).
Progress has not always been easy, however, and
tably
within those limits. Use persuasion, incentives, and legal
enforcement as needed.
Land use
: Anticipate development pressures and apply
techniques to prevent undesired overdevelopment and deg-
radation. Contain resort and vacation-home sprawl, espe-
cially on coasts and islands, so as to retain a diversity of
natural and scenic environments and ensure continued resi-
dent access to waterfronts. Encourage major self-contained
tourism attractions, such as large-scale theme parks and
convention centres unrelated to character of place, to be sited
in needier locations with no signicant ecological, scenic, or
cultural assets.
Planning
: Recognize and respect
nding
funding to develop the initiative and secure the future of
individual geoparks remains a signi
cant challenge. The
geoparks concept highlights the potential for interaction
between socio economic development, cultural develop-
ment, and conservation of the natural environment (Zouros
and McKeever
2009
). A geopark must have a management
plan to foster sustainable socio-economic development pre-
dominantly based on geotourism. It must also demonstrate
methods for preservation and promotion of geological heri-
tage and provide opportunities for studying geology and
other natural sciences. In order to be established as a geo-
park, it should be initiated together by local authorities,
communities, and private enterprises. It has the potential to
be part of a global network which demonstrates and shares
good practices for preservation of Earth heritage and its
involvement in strategies for sustainable development,
(Geopark Iskar-Panega
2010
). Geoparks address the need for
the effective management of important geological sites and
for the sustainable economic development of rural areas
through the development of geotourism, thus enhancing the
value of their Earth heritage,
immediate economic
needs without sacri
cing long-term character and the geo-
tourism potential of the destination. Where tourism attracts
immigration of workers, develop new communities that
themselves constitute a destination enhancement. Strive to
diversify the economy and limit population in
ux to sus-
tainable levels. Adopt public strategies for mitigating prac-
tices that are incompatible with geotourism and damaging to
the image of the destination.
Interactive interpretation
: Engage both visitors and hosts
in learning about the place. Encourage residents to show off
the natural and cultural heritage of their communities, so that
tourists gain a richer experience, and residents develop pride
in their locales.
Evaluation
: Establish an evaluation process to be con-
ducted on a regular basis by an independent panel repre-
senting all stakeholder interests, and publicize evaluation
results.
landscapes and geological
formations.
A geopark must contain geologically or geomorphologi-
cally important locations of interest to a wider community.
These locations can be important for their scienti
c value,
rarity, aesthetic, or educational attributes. Geoparks not only
bene
2.3
Geoparks Concept and Sustainable
Development
t from being geologically interesting locations, but
also from their various ecological, archaeological, historical
and cultural qualities or attributes. Geoparks are run by local
communities who can recognise and wish to con
Allied to the growth of geotourism is the development of
geoparks. A geopark is an area with a geological heritage of
signi
rm their
geological, historical and cultural heritage, mostly through
the activities of geotourism. According to Lochaber Geopark
(
2011
), geoparks are not just about rocks
cance, with a coherent and strong management struc-
ture and where a sustainable economic development strategy
is in place. The philosophy behind the concept of geoparks
they are also
about people, and helping communities to understand their
Earth heritage, and to bene
—
'
was
rst introduced at the Digne Convention in 1991 as a
means to protect and promote geological heritage and sus-
tainable local development through a global network of
territories containing geology of outstanding value (Jones
2008a
,
b
). In 2000, representatives from four European ter-
ritories met together to address regional economic develop-
ment through the protection of geological heritage and the
promotion of geotourism. The result of this meeting was the
cant aspect
of geoparks is that they are driven by local communities who
want to celebrate their Earth heritage and thereby achieve
sustainable development of their area through
t from it. The signi
.
Geoparks have been established to enhance employment
opportunities for the local population and to foster economic
bene
“
geotourism
”
ts for them, usually through the development of a
sustainable tourism. These Earth heritage sites are part of an
