The developmental trajectories of communities are routinely explained by reference to economic history, human capital deficits, or the structure of local labour markets. The role of local culture in understanding community development or in interpreting empirical research has received less attention. We believe culture plays an important independent role in shaping community debate and action. Framing community as an interactional field emphasises the opportunities created when people who share interests come together to address local problems. Interaction and local culture are essential parts of community and community development. Appreciating community uniqueness and local culture helps in the interpretation of study data and clarifies development trajectories. Research from Ireland, Pennsylvania and Alaska illustrates the linkages between local culture and community development.

Local Culture and Rural Development: Findings from Ireland, Pennsylvania, and Alaska

Throughout history, times of crisis have always been preceded by periods of change. In fact, the current moment of health, economic, and social crisis that we are experiencing seems to be no exception. Tourism seems to be one of the most affected activities by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis—due not only the cancelled flights but also to the fear of being infected with the virus. In this sense, the present article intends to identify the Azores Archipelago residents’ tourism expectations during the COVID-19 crisis. Using the Azores Islands as a case study and merging it with the authors’ knowledge about this regional reality, it was possible to collect a substantial quantity of data. Thus, this study provides an in-depth perception of the main issues about how this pandemic crisis affects the tourism expectations of the Azores region residents, and consequently, how this situation will influence regional sustainable development. Through the study, it was possible to verify that the significant part of the Azores Archipelago residents (57.5%) will not be going to travel to spend vacations in 2020. Additionally, 84.2% will have holidays in the region; therefore, they stay in the Azores Archipelago. Besides, this study shows that majority of the respondents (61.6%) would not make a reservation for a 2020 vacation.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/18/7612/pdf

The Impacts of COVID-19 Crisis over the Tourism Expectations of the Azores Archipelago Residents

Planned behavior and social capital: Understanding farmers’ behavior toward pressurized irrigation technologies

Bearing in mind the growth in regions with socio-economic bases dependent on tourism, studies that analyze spatial planning processes, regional public policies, and their relationship with tourism activities are essential to achieve the so-desired sustainable territorial development. Through case study research methods, territorial impact analysis, and questionnaires to explore the public perceptions, it was possible to design and implement a study regarding this specific regional governance theme on the Azores Autonomous Region (AAR). The research allowed us to learn that the most affected activities by public territorial policies in the AAR from the respondents’ perspective were accommodation (54.7%) and nature (51.9%). Conversely, the less affected were culture (15.1%) and rental/hire services (17.9). Furthermore, it was possible to identify two factors that rule public policies on the growth and development of the Azores: (i) impact in the natural landscape and (ii) suitable production factors.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/15/6059/pdf

Territorial Management and Governance, Regional Public Policies and their Relationship with Tourism. A Case Study of the Azores Autonomous Region

WTO (World Tourism Organization) recognizes that adventure tourism is a journey that includes at least two of three elements: (a) physical activity, (b) natural environment; and (c) cultural immersion. With this in mind, the Autonomous Region of Azores, classified as one of the OR (Outermost Regions) by the European Union (EU), meets several of those elements. Therefore, the Archipelago shows several potential for the development of this typology of tourism. However, this insular region faces many challenges. Some of those obstacles are also great opportunities for regional development towards new sustainable models. For example, there is the islands’ geographical location, which enables exceptional territorial development opportunities and growth opportunities. Contextually, the Archipelago’s nine islands afford great variety to the destination, and the tranquil rural landscape fits the perfect framework for unparalleled, charming, and relaxing experiences. Moreover, the Archipelago’s specific characteristics, as its volcanic nature, make the destination a perfect place to be explored. These are just some examples of the region’s potential to develop this typology of tourism, based on nature, and consequently, a vehicle to achieve the so-desired regional sustainability.

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The Azores Archipelago as a Region with Vast Potential for the Development of Adventure and Slow Tourism

The relationships between territorial governance and the pursuit of sustainable development are evidenced to be critical. Exploratory tools, like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enable us to comprehend the patterns, dynamics, and parameters of land-use changes over the years. The results from such studies could be used in the design of a sustainable territorial governance strategy. Contextually, a study has been conducted based on the changes that occurred in land uses in the Canary Archipelago in the years 1990, 2000, 2012, and 2018 using CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) data. Even if most of the land uses have been stable over the analyzed period, the investigation shows a decrease in agricultural areas. By contrast, it is possible to verify an increase in semi-natural areas and urban agglomerations. Moreover, the authors believe that an assessment of the land-use changes on these ultra-peripheral areas will also enable us to disclose some obstacles and opportunities for sustained development.

/pdf/land-use-changes-in-the-canary-archipelago-using-the-corine-1rzdt5u0zx.pdf

Land-Use Changes in the Canary Archipelago Using the CORINE Data: A Retrospective Analysis

/pdf/assessing-the-impacts-of-public-policies-over-tourism-in-13pfufz2wa.pdf

Assessing the Impacts of Public Policies Over Tourism in Azores Islands. A Research Based on Tourists and Residents Perceptions

The National Park are unique spaces for the study and monitoring of a resilient development. This interest is especially because the natural harbour protected areas, social components and ecological processes, subject to social and economic changes, which follow from these protected areas, have an intrinsic and comparative interest. To guide the scope and content of the resilient development requires the identification of a number of relevant environmental, social and economic indicators to develop a system of evaluation and monitoring, it is intended to determine the degree of deviation of the values of the indicators of reference values initially determined. The objective of this research proposal is to design and functioning of an Indicator System Resilience in the National Parks in general and in the Yasuni National Park in particular, that responds to the need to have a sufficient set of data capable of monitoring the short, medium and long term the persistence of protected area against changes or environmental impacts.

/pdf/indicators-for-sustainable-management-in-the-yasuni-national-16db70z3j8.pdf

Indicators for Sustainable Management in the Yasuni National Park

/pdf/the-socio-cultural-factors-in-the-common-strategic-planning-5b1wtteh5q.pdf

The Socio-Cultural Factors in the Common Strategic Planning in European Territories: Principles for Sustainable Development Extracted from Borderlands

The management of cities in the XXI century must be different to adapt to the rapidity of changes (technological, social, consumption, demographic and cultural trends...). These vertiginous changes, generate political and business uncertainty in decision making. In the current context, in which the problems that are presented to the municipalities are increasing in quality and quantity (social, economic, unemployment, mobility problems, etc.) those who must respond from a very limited budget situation due to local financial insufficiency and at the same time satisfy demands is more necessary than ever to have a strategic city plan. The main objective of this study is the development of a methodological proposal for the strategic planning of the cities that will help them to manage and order the city in an effective and efficient way.

Jacinto Garrido Velarde

Papers

Land-Use Changes in the Canary Archipelago Using the CORINE Data: A Retrospective Analysis

Assessing the Impacts of Public Policies Over Tourism in Azores Islands. A Research Based on Tourists and Residents Perceptions

Indicators for Sustainable Management in the Yasuni National Park

The Socio-Cultural Factors in the Common Strategic Planning in European Territories: Principles for Sustainable Development Extracted from Borderlands

Urban Planning: Methodology for the Preparation of a Strategic Plan