The Italian Unesco Biosphere Reserves and proximity (eco)tourism: What are the criticalities and possibilities? – During the pandemic, outdoor recreational practices received particular attention and saw an increase in the number of users, especially in areas close to everyday life, as it was considered accessible, safe and “natural”. However, tourism negatively affects the climate and environment, highlighting the complex relationship between humans and nature in the Anthropocene. Reducing travel distances or using environmentally friendly transportation is not enough. Despite greater integration of nature and culture, the idea of unspoilt nature that must be preserved persists, encouraging the commodification of nature. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves seek to overcome this dichotomy by promoting conservation alongside sustainable development and involving local communities. By analyzing three Italian reserves, we assess the proximity tourism that occurs there, how these dichotomies are addressed, and whether they can mitigate the negative impacts of tourism. The research shows that success depends on the actors involved, community participation, and more explicit management of tourism by the MAB reserves.

The hydrogeological risk in Calabria in the relocation of Cavallerizzo (Northern Calabria, Italy). – In Italy, there are many areas in hydrogeological instability and many others show clear signs that, added to neglect, poor maintenance, absence of maintenance works and unsustainable territorialization processes, turn into critical issues. Risk mitigation interventions vary depending on the exposure, but even more so on the availability of resources and the perception of risk by the communities involved. About one third of the population lives in these areas with a high hydro-geological risk, which see the relocation of settlements with the consequent abandonment of unstable historical centers among the most complex and controversial interventions. The case study concerns the relocation of the Cavallerizzo di Cerzeto hamlet in Calabria, affected by a deep gravitational movement in the area of more recent urbanization and chosen as it was rebuilt with the urban structure and neighborhood relations of the old village as a settlement for the minority ethnic-linguistic arbëreshe.