Developing digital knowledge tools and collaborative online platforms for effective, democratic and sustainable natural resource and heritage management
Argument
Digital resource governance is essential for enabling inclusive, effective, and sustainable management of natural resources and heritage. By developing digital knowledge tools and collaborative online platforms, communities and stakeholders gain accessible, transparent means to share data, co-create solutions, and participate in decision-making processes. These platforms support democratic engagement by bridging the gap between expert knowledge and local insight, allowing for more informed and equitable resource management. Through participatory digitisation and mapping, digital governance tools not only preserve critical environmental and cultural assets but also foster resilience in the face of challenges such as climate change. Ultimately, these digital infrastructures promote long-term stewardship by enhancing visibility, accessibility, and collaboration across all levels of society.
Practical applications
In the Morvan region, the COUDRIER research program aims to empower residents and stakeholders by providing the knowledge and tools needed to preserve water resources in the face of climate change. As part of the program, an online platform is being developed to facilitate dialogue between experts and local communities, offering a detailed map of water-related information and infrastructure.
The participatory digitisation of irrigation ditch networks in Spain contributes to more sustainable water and soil management and the preservation of heritage.
Embracing the principle of removing gatekeepers, heritage projects are increasingly built as mutually beneficial collaborations where communities are equal partners, if not primary drivers, enabled by accessible, easy-to-learn technologies that support local storytelling and participation. In SECreTour, this approach is reflected in the development of an online destinations module that allows communities to create parish-level itineraries with locally sourced guides, stories, and digital media, using simple formats and QR codes to share heritage while gathering anonymised visitor data for both local benefit and national tourism insights.
