Governing the protected areas of the Po delta: a study of an interregional approach

The Po Delta is a dynamic and fragile territory that is densely inhabited, in a state of physical flux (geologically and hydrologically), and to this day is characterized by administrative division. This dissertation analyzes one aspect of this complex territory: the management of the protected areas of the Po Delta, i.e., the interregional park that spans the borders of the Italian regions of the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. It focuses specifically on intergovernmental efforts transcending several levels of public administration from local territorial plans to regional and national policy and legislation to supranational initiatives and programs. I examine the evolution of the administrative efforts for and in the Po Delta as they relate to territorial protection and promotion. My emphasis here is therefore on the political-administrative level as opposed to that of the general resident, park user or visitor. Of particular interest are recent and ongoing interregional and cross-governmental efforts to strengthen the management of this territory. The role of international programs and whether or not they are effective in encouraging greater collaboration among local actors is considered in detail. At its core, this work is an analysis of the governance of a highly localized territory by local actors but with the involvement of several higher orders of public institutions. The impact of the political relationship of these actors on the management of the Po Delta Interregional Park forms the core question of this thesis. In synthesis, the objective of my research is to explain and unravel the complicated interregional dynamics in managing the Po Delta parklands, to highlight their challenges and pitfalls but also their progress and opportunities for improved ecological conservation and sustainable development. This thesis, then, further seeks to evaluate the level of interregional and cross-border cooperation taking place, and will consider future directions for the governance of this protected area as well as their implications for the broader European regional discourse and relationship with other fragile and fragmented parklands, trans-border zones, and localized areas. The main methods of this dissertation involve interviews with political decision makers, senior technical officials, concerned community and civil society leaders, and local scholars. Fieldwork over the course of two years in the protected areas of the Po Delta entailed visits to local sites of conflict and of territorial value/interest, mapping the area, photography, interviews, and conference participation. The theoretical basis of this dissertation catalogues best practices from other estuarial and trans-border protected areas in Europe, and also includes a close reading of relevant literature in regional and border studies (particularly in a contemporary European context), rural and protected area studies, and trans-boundary protected area governance policy.