Nature protection and local development: A methodological study implemented with reference to a natural park located in Sardinia (Italy)

Italian legislation concerning the protection of natural heritage identifies the regional natural parks among the categories of the protected natural areas. Natural parks can include inner land areas, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas endowed with high natural and environmental values which in many cases, are affected by high anthropic pressures. Therefore, planning should consider this problematic dichotomy and guarantee a balance between the conservation objectives and the development needs, according to the sustainability paradigm. Within this framework, the present study proposes a knowledge‐based planning methodology that supports plan‐making processes concerning natural parks, with the first aim to protect and enhance the Park‐related opportunities and identity through the definition of place‐based planning strategies.