VIMAS · Visitor monitoring and management in protected and recreational areas: new challenges, novel solutions for the Anthropocene

Visitor monitoring and management in protected and recreational areas: new challenges, novel solutions for the Anthropocene

The VIMAS project aims to address the challenges of sustainable management of nature areas due to increased participation in outdoor recreation. The project acknowledges the diversification in visitor behaviour and the subsequent socio-ecological impacts. The main objective of VIMAS is to develop efficient governance of nature areas that benefits biodiversity, human well-being, and business development. This will be achieved through research on advanced monitoring methods, improved visitor management, and more inclusive governance. The project also aims to train a new generation of multidisciplinary scientists and strengthen European geo-digital businesses, public administration, and academia with talented researchers. VIMAS's innovative approach involves integrating quantitative and qualitative social sciences, ecology, and geo-informatics technology, and promoting inclusive approaches for non-agency stakeholders and citizens. VIMAS aims to achieve the following condensed research objectives: RO1: Develop innovative visitor monitoring methodologies that integrate Big Data and traditional on-site monitoring. This will lead to the development of guidelines and policy briefs, and the publication of methodological and original research articles. RO2: Enhance understanding of the role of improved visitor monitoring in boosting the sustainability and competitiveness of nature-based services and tourism. It will result in guidelines for knowledge management, policy briefs on financing public goods related to outdoor recreation, and several research articles. RO3: Understand the conditions for successful visitor communication, behavioural change, and protection of natural soundscapes and dark skies. This will lead to guidelines for sustainable behavioural change, sound and light maps for nature experiences, and several original research articles. RO4: Develop indicators and guidelines for evidence-based, sustainable, and efficient visitor governance. This will result in standards for policy-supporting indicators and several research articles. Training Objectives: Develop skills in quantitative big data analysis, PPGIS, on-site research methods, strategic planning, and collaborative management. This will be achieved through training activities, course exams, secondments at national/regional agencies, and research reports/papers. Strategic Objectives: Train a new generation of multidisciplinary scientists, strengthen European geo-digital businesses, public administration, and academia, enable long-term improvement of European academic cooperation, and improve contemporary visitor planning and management models. These will be accomplished through acquisition of transferable skills, secondments at non-academic institutions, establishment of two permanent doctoral-level courses, and knowledge transfers to key stakeholders. VIMAS website: https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/projects/vimas

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