Turning risks into opportunities: Katla Geopark
Skaftártunguvegur, IcelandLead
Main hazard(s)
Disaster Risk Management phase(s)
Type(s) of measure(s)
Background
Situated within a great geographical diversity and an outstanding geological landscape that present high risks related to various natural hazards, Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, in Iceland, is one of RURITAGE project’s Role Models.
Their natural wonders populated with ice-capped active volcanoes, tuff mountains, and black volcanic beaches attract a big number of visitors yearly. By making use of landscape storytelling, merging holistic concepts of protection, education and sustainable development, Katla created a network of governmental agencies that provide guidance and assistance to the local population and tourist on how to protect themselves and cooperate with rescue squads during and after a disaster event, teaching prevention and safeguard strategies, increasing awareness regarding survival of natural hazards as well as promoting the local culture by placing a strong emphasis on nature tourism. The park counts on a Destination Management Plan (DMP) result of an extensive participatory planning process with contributions of many stakeholders from the geopark.
Sources
For more information: http://www.katlageopark.com/
RURITAGE is a 4-year EU-funded project under the Horizon 2020 programme aimed at establishing a new heritage-led rural regeneration approach, transforming rural areas into laboratories for sustainable development, building on the enhancement of their unique Cultural and Natural Heritage potential. For more information on RURITAGE, visit: https://www.ruritage.eu/
