Copatss Lab Established to Pursue UNESCO Recognition and a National

Copatss Laboratory: purpose and launch

A dedicated laboratory for the enhancement of the ecological and landscape heritage of the Strait of Messina has been formally established. Promoted by the Copatss network (Community of Heritage for a Sustainable Strait territory) together with academic and civil society partners, the initiative coordinates research and design activities focused on two main aims: establishing a Strait national park and restarting the UNESCO nomination process.

Operational goals

• Coordinate scientific studies and applied research projects for the area;
• Develop guidelines for protection and sustainable enjoyment of eco-landscape resources;
• Prepare systematic, up-to-date technical and cultural documentation for a UNESCO nomination;
• Encourage graduate and doctoral theses to build specialized expertise;
• Provide legal and regulatory support aligned with local ecological and territorial statutes.

Partnership and membership

The laboratory brings together university faculty and researchers, environmental experts, cultural and conservation associations, and legal professionals experienced in environmental and urban planning law. Work will be organized in thematic teams — about twenty members each — addressing either the national park project or the UNESCO dossier, with many contributors active on both fronts.

Expected impact and work phases

The initiative aims to link protection with sustainable development: the national park is conceived both as a safeguard and as a driver for locally rooted, self-sustaining development. Achieving UNESCO recognition will require a substantial and rigorous scientific and cultural foundation; the laboratory will therefore proceed in stages, from preliminary studies and data collection to project drafting and public dissemination.

How to get involved and next steps

Organizations and individuals interested in research activities, project proposals or thesis collaboration are encouraged to contact the participating university bodies. Immediate actions include defining work plans for the thematic groups and launching preliminary studies necessary to build the documentation for the UNESCO process and the national park design.