Exploring shared visions and alternative processes in Urdabai Biosphere Reserve in the Basque Country

Abstract

Alberdi Bidaguren, J., Areskurrinaga Mirandona, E., Oianguren Idigoras, M. 2020. Exploring shared visions and alternative processes in Urdabai Biosphere Reserve in the Basque Country. Ecosistemas 29(1):1940. https://doi.org/10.7818/ECOS.1940

A participatory process and mapping of problems, challenges and active communities in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve has been carried out in the framework of the project "Territories in Conflict. Research, training and action for capacity-building and life building".

This article presents the first results of this research based on an analysis framework that highlights the collective agency and leadership, confirms the need for deliberative spaces and more horizontal power relations, and identifies the main socio-environmental conflicts in the territory. In a scenario of plans that mean significant threats to sustainable human development in Urdaibai, in this first approach, a scarce shared vision on the future and management of this Biosphere Reserve and little mutual knowledge between the actors has been determined, although, interesting social initiatives and common spaces for deliberation are also detected.