Abstract ID: 3.14542 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

The contribution aims to show how good territory and community governance practices by administrators, decision-makers and civil society claim for a re-balancing of needs of both tourists and local communities, particularly (but not only) in settings of high landscape value, and in protected natural areas. Research findings in “montagna di mezzo” -low mountain- contexts, in Belluno province in Italy, shows how there is no valid model: instead, place-based solutions to care for residents and their relation with the local environment can lead to welcoming practices more than top-down tourism models. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews, the mapping of good practices, innovative organisational forms, and heritage communities for regeneration through cultural and environmental resources was taken forward. Main challenges for the low mountain and its inhabitants, such as lack of cooperation between administrative units, spoiling of places and communities caused by unsustainable tourism practices closeby, scarcity of opportunities and services for young people and families, increase depopulation and detachment. Inquiries in the area show clearly that resilient solutions are already in place, often carried out by civil society, volunteers, activists, resistant young groups, who try to move and thrive beyond the lack of administrative support, scarcity of resources or fragmentation. Some example can be mentioned, like the innovative model of “Biodistretto Terre Bellunesi”, which presents itself as “a community, open, and inclusive project, based on agreements and social cohesion between producers, local institutions, bodies and foundations, tour operators, schools, research centres, associations, committees, individual citizens”. Or “Consulta Giovani Cadore” which aims to “respond to the need to share and implement ideas and projects that give a voice to young people, making them discover the great potential of their valleys while trying to counter depopulation”. Such initiatives embody the perspective of communities-in-places, which urges the importance of ensuring basic rights and citizens’ services, called “the economy of everyday life” (Barbera & Membretti 2024). These must be put at the center of the strategic planning for the low mountains, so as to guarantee a long-term social and environmental sustainability, and virtuous models for slow tourism and a fond welcoming culture, through place-based, community and activism practices.