To contribute, it is necessary to submit an abstract in English through the official Conference’s website by 14 March 2022

This session welcomes research papers addressing the challenges of long-distance walking routes as drivers for regional development from a variety of perspectives:

• Innovative methods and solutions to plan and map LDWR
• Engagement of local communities for the preservation and enhancement of LDWR
• Touristic models based on LDWR for a sustainable region development
• Landscape ecology as an approach for interpreting the territory
• Historical elements to rediscover LDWR
• Enhancement of the intangible heritage linked to the cultural values of the paths
• Experiences of integrated and intermodal mobility for the promotion of trans-frontier connections hinged on LDWR
• The role of LDWR and experiential tourism for the revitalization of marginal regions

Description of the session: 

The interest in preserving and enhancing long-distance walking routes (LDWR) has increased in the last few years in Europe and around the World. LDWR are more and more important not only as tourism infrastructures and attractions, according to mainstream territorial development narratives, but also for their historical, cultural, environmental and socio-economic intrinsic values. In fact, the affordances and attractiveness of such routes may emphasise different dimensions: the spiritual one of following an ancient pilgrimage trail, the environmental one of walking through nature or the cultural one of rediscovering historical and cultural values of heritage routes. LDWR, thus, may also pivot around literary or gastronomic themes, thus intersecting common cultural tourism topics. Indeed, along these routes, local, national and transnational policies are under implementation, aiming at supporting heritage-based local development strategies of  lesser known, isolated and remote regions. LDWR makes it possible to involve these places in a network that can help them overcome marginalisation and the difficulties they encounter in valorizing their tangible and intangible resources. Therefore, preserving and enhancing LDWR become an interesting entry point for a place-making strategy, where innovative eco-slow speed, multi-actor and inter-scalar approaches and methods can be tested.

The session will be held by: 

• Giulia Motta Zanin (Polytechnic University of Bari)
• Daniele Vettorato (Eurac Research)
• Francesco Bruzzone (IUAV, Polytechnic of Torino)
• Andrea Omizzolo (Eurac Research) 
• Fuorivia Cultural Association

Keywords: 

Long-distance and historical-cultural walking routes, Landscape ecology, Eco-Tourism, Socio-Economic rural development, Multi-actor and inter-scalar approaches.

Potential journal publication: Plurimondi

Summary:

• Conference: “Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions”
• When: 18-22 July 2022
• Where: EURAC research centre, Bozen
• Session: “New approaches and methods to preserve and enhance long-distance walking routes”
• Deadline for abstracts submission: 14 March 2022 
• Conference page: https://www.sspcr.eurac.edu 
• Information on the session: https://www.sspcr.eurac.edu/session
• Abstract submission: https://www.sspcr.eurac.edu/call-for-proposals/