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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDLand Use Policy

The UNESCO Global Geopark model for sustainable development in marginalised areas: Investigating perceptions and social acceptance in a local context

  • Nazgul Esengulova1
  • Antonio Lopolito2
  • Pasquale Pazienza2
  • Caterina De Lucia2
  1. 1Economics Department, International Ala-Too University, Bishkek 720048, Kyrgyzstan
  2. 2Department of Social Science, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy
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Abstract

UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs) are increasingly recognized as a strategic tool to unlock sustainable development in marginalised areas. However, its effectiveness rests on its social acceptance by local stakeholders. To maximize its impact, targeted actions are needed to enhance the perceived value of UGGPs as a development tool and align them with local priorities. This paper addresses two key research questions: 1) How do local stakeholders perceive the UGGP model as a driver for development? 2) What actions can increase its social acceptance and integration into local strategies? Using a combined SWOT-SOr analysis and Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping approach, we investigate these questions through the Gargano region (Italy) case study. We found that UGGP-related initiatives are often viewed as secondary to more immediate economic concerns. However, local entrepreneurship and place-based knowledge emerge as key catalysts to bridge geoheritage conservation with tangible development outcomes. Strategic interventions, such as participatory governance, awareness campaigns, and policy integration, are essential to strengthen the UGGP’s legitimacy as a development tool. This study provides a transferable methodological framework to assess and enhance UGGP acceptance in diverse marginalised contexts.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{esengulova2026unesco,
  title = {{The UNESCO Global Geopark model for sustainable development in marginalised areas: Investigating perceptions and social acceptance in a local context}},
  author = {Nazgul Esengulova and Antonio Lopolito and Pasquale Pazienza and Caterina De Lucia},
  journal = {Land Use Policy},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1016/j.landusepol.2026.108090},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2026.108090},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The UNESCO Global Geopark model for sustainable development in marginalised areas: Investigating perceptions and social acceptance in a local context
AU  - Nazgul Esengulova
AU  - Antonio Lopolito
AU  - Pasquale Pazienza
AU  - Caterina De Lucia
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/16
JO  - Land Use Policy
DO  - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2026.108090
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2026.108090
AB  - UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs) are increasingly recognized as a strategic tool to unlock sustainable development in marginalised areas. However, its effectiveness rests on its social acceptance by local stakeholders. To maximize its impact, targeted actions are needed to enhance the perceived value of UGGPs as a development tool and align them with local priorities. This paper addresses two key research questions: 1) How do local stakeholders perceive the UGGP model as a driver for development? 2) What actions can increase its social acceptance and integration into local strategies? Using a combined SWOT-SOr analysis and Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping approach, we investigate these questions through the Gargano region (Italy) case study. We found that UGGP-related initiatives are often viewed as secondary to more immediate economic concerns. However, local entrepreneurship and place-based knowledge emerge as key catalysts to bridge geoheritage conservation with tangible development outcomes. Strategic interventions, such as participatory governance, awareness campaigns, and policy integration, are essential to strengthen the UGGP’s legitimacy as a development tool. This study provides a transferable methodological framework to assess and enhance UGGP acceptance in diverse marginalised contexts.
SN  - 0264-8377
SN  - 1873-5754
ER  -