PARTICIPATORY LANDSCAPE GOVERNANCE IN THE AKAMAS PENINSULA: A BOTTOM-UP APPROACH THROUGH THE TOPIO PROJECT

The increasing intricacy of managing protected landscapes demands innovative methodologies that fuse scientific evidence, digital innovation, and grassroots participation to reconcile ecological integrity with social and economic aspirations. The Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus, designated under Natura 2000 for its ecological and cultural significance, represents a pressing case study in balancing conservation and local development. This paper presents a robust participatory framework developed within the EU-funded TOPIO project (Towards a Democratic Landscape Observation through Geoinformatics and Public Participation). TOPIO brings together nine institutions across Europe, including research centers, universities, SMEs, and NGOs, to design inclusive and transferable methodologies for landscape governance. Our participatory process integrates Public Participation GIS (PPGIS), Earth Observation (EO), citizen science, and structured stakeholder engagement to produce actionable, community-validated insights [1]. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative data from structured Likert-scale surveys with qualitative data from open-ended interviews and participatory mapping sessions. This was piloted in February 2025 in the "Akamas in Action" workshop, attended by 120 local participants from diverse backgrounds including residents, farmers, local business owners, environmental activists, and municipal authorities. Printed topographic maps (1:25,000 scale) were used for on-site annotations of areas perceived as valuable, threatened, or in need of restoration. Questionnaires assessed landscape values (aesthetic, natural, cultural, economic), perceived changes over the past two decades, and priorities for restoration. Facilitated small group discussions allowed participants to explain their choices and voice concerns, all of which were transcribed and thematically coded. The EO component involved analysis of Sentinel-2 satellite data from 2015 to 2024 to detect land use and land cover (LULC) changes and validate participant observations. Quantitative responses revealed strong aesthetic and natural values (mean 4.6/5 and 4.7/5, respectively), with cultural and heritage values also prominent (4.2/5 and 4.1/5). Economic and tourism values were rated lower (3.2/5 and 3.5/5), though over 80% of participants affirmed a deep personal or communal bond to the landscape. Perceived degradation over the past two decades averaged 3.8/5, highlighting wildfires, habitat fragmentation, and terrace abandonment. EO-derived LULC change detection confirmed a 12% decline in forest cover and a 9% increase in built-up areas, offering strong triangulation between observed and perceived changes. Cluster analysis of survey data identified three stakeholder typologies: (1) Conservation Guardians (45%) prioritizing ecology and heritage, (2) Development Pragmatists (30%) focused on sustainable tourism and livelihoods, and (3) Balanced Stewards (25%) advocating integrative solutions. These findings suggest the necessity of tailored governance structures, such as shared stewardship councils, buffer-zone mechanisms, and cross-sector advisory boards. A digital extension of the process is currently underway via the TOPIO online participatory platform, which aims to democratize access to planning tools, facilitate geospatial data contributions, and support longitudinal monitoring. With strong participant interest (mean 4.3/5), the platform is expected to become a central node for continuous community engagement and data-driven policy design. This paper argues that the integration of community knowledge, geoinformatics, and participatory planning offers a replicable model for other Mediterranean and Natura 2000 contexts. Recommendations include institutional support for hybrid participatory systems, investment in digital literacy, and multi-stakeholder mechanisms for ongoing co-management. Through the Akamas pilot, the TOPIO project demonstrates the transformative potential of combining traditional values with modern tools to achieve truly inclusive landscape governance.