Graduation Year

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.Arch.

Degree Granting Department

Architecture and Community Design

Major Professor

Shannon Bassett, M.A.U.D

Committee Member

Stanley Russell, M.Arch.

Committee Member

Ron Chandler, M.S.

Committee Member

Robert Hudson, B.Arch.

Keywords

Sustainable Architecture, AgroEcology, Nature, Green roof, Bolivia, Dynamic and Responsive Landscapes

Abstract

The concern for the environment and social aspects have been emphasizing in the concept of ecotourism. Tourism is the world's largest industry. "It accounts for more than 10% of total employment, 11% of global GDP, and total tourist trips are predicted to increase to 1.6 billion by 2020". As such, it has a major and increasing impact on both people and nature. The increase of travels and tourists in the world, has led to the acknowledgement of tourism as part of the emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the framework of sustainable development in tourism has been developed as well as ecotourism.

Eco-tourism can be both an effective conservation tool and a successful community development model. Sustainable architecture can be well integrated in a community that will base their knowledge on role model site for the sustainability of a park and village.

This thesis is aiming to study and develop a sustainable model for the conflict that exists between architecture and eco-tourism because of current practices and their impact on natural habitat.

Inappropriate tourism development and practice can degrade habitats and landscapes, deplete natural resources, and generate waste and pollution. The local community is also in need of a better and healthy living. This has become a social, cultural, and economical issue prevalent for decades since there hasn't been an established relationship between the local community and the tourist. The main investigation into determining factors is on how and why we need the bond between eco-village and eco-tourism. Does it consist of culture and society integration? Or is it nature preservation? What is the new relationship between tourist-community or tourist development design and development of this relationship?

Some of the options for research and study is an eco-cabin that will serve as a prototype for ecotourism sustainable technologies and architecture, integrating an eco-village as a model for the local community.

A way to approach this issue is through the education of the local people and tourism through sustainable architecture and development. Community knowledge can be increased through environmental sustainable building techniques. Perhaps the community gets involve in the construction process, so they learn how to take care of their surroundings and its stewardship.. In this way the sustainability of well-being of human cultures that inhibit those environments are sustained, and tourists can get engaged through community learning and interaction.

Responsible tourism can also promote awareness of and support for the conservation of local culture, creating economic opportunities for countries and communities.

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