TUTELA AMBIENTALE E SVILUPPO TERRITORIALE, FOCUS SUI PARCHI REGIONALI. CASO STUDIO: IL PARCO NATURALE REGIONALE DI TEPILORA.

This doctoral dissertation investigates the relationship between environmental protection and territorial development, with a particular emphasis on the role of sustainable tourism within protected areas. Framed within the broader context of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the study explores how regional natural parks can serve as effective instruments of environmental governance, combining biodiversity conservation with socio-economic advancement. The research is structured in three interrelated sections. The first provides a theoretical and conceptual foundation, examining the evolution of the sustainable development paradigm and the integration of environmental, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions within the tourism sector. Particular focus is placed on sustainable tourism typologies, their ecological impact, and their potential as catalysts for local development. The second section offers an in-depth case study of the Tepilora Regional Natural Park in Sardinia, analyzing its institutional framework, planning strategies, international designations (UNESCO Man and the Biosphere, Ramsar Convention), and socio-economic context. The park is evaluated as a model of integrated resource management and community-based environmental education. The third section presents a comparative analysis of regional parks in Sicily and Sardinia, identifying common features, differences, and challenges in sustainable resource management. By applying a multidimensional assessment methodology, the research highlights best practices and critical issues, ultimately proposing strategic guidelines to enhance the effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability of regional protected areas in insular territories. The study contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable territorial governance and offers policy-oriented insights to support decision-makers, local stakeholders, and environmental planners in promoting resilient, inclusive, and ecologically balanced development models.