Chapter 3

Ecotourism Design
Castañaday, Magtulis, Tuliba, Flores, Fabul
Good Design Principles

Good design is essential for the full enjoyment of ecotourism sites.

A well designed ecotourism facility promotes environmental
preservation, cultural sensitivity, inclusion, gender sensitivity, and
safety.
Good Design Principles

According to Rawsthorn (2008), something is well-designed if it

fulfills its function efficiently but is also beautiful. According to
her, a well-designed product is:

● easy to use
● technologically innovative
● ethically made
● environment-friendly
Good Design Principles

A well-designed ecotourism facility should enable the exploration of a

place create satisfying experiences. It should be ethically and must be
environmentally sound.

An ecotourism facility must be compatible with a place's natural and

cultural values. It should not destroy natural appearance of the site nor
introduce themes that reduce its authenticity indigenousness.
Endangered species and their habitats must be protected from potential
impacts. If impacts could not be avoided totally, mitigating measures
should put in place.
Good Design Principles

A well-designed ecotourism site should be situated away from

hazardous areas, such as:

● flood basins
● steep slopes
● earthquake faults
● wildfire erosion
● avalanche prone areas
● away from wild animal corridors
Choosing an Ecotourism site

Choosing where to establish an ecotourism facility requires knowledge of where

ecotourism spots are. In the Philippines, ecotourism sites had been selected
based on:
• Natural and cultural features
• Availability of ecotourism product
• Level of social/political support
• Accessibility from major international and domestic gateways tourism sites
• Current market demand from international and domestic visitors including
the potential appeal to these markets
• Availability of visitor facilities and services
• Local benefits accruing to the community through livelihood and
employment opportunities, and
• Peace and order, security and safety
Choosing an Ecotourism site

Based on the criteria on their natural and cultural values,

ecotourism is classified into banner, key, emerging, and
potential ecotourism sites.

Banner sites are the ones with the highest natural and cultural
values. An ecotourism project in a site of outstanding value will
be able to attract attention and generate and promotional
support compared to projects located in more obscure places.
Choosing an Ecotourism site

A site can be considered as having outstanding value if it is listed

as a UNESCO site, a banner ecotourism site in the (Philippine)
National Ecotourism Strategy or if it possesses cultural identity.

According to Prof. Felipe de Leon, chairman of the National

Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCC-A) cultural identity derives
from: originality, indigenousness, authenticity, uniqueness,
historicity, magnitude, and excellence.
 Choosing an Ecotourism site
Out of more than 200 protected areas in the
Philippines, 18 were given priority led that a status
for ecotourism development (NES, 2002):
 Coron Island, Palawan
01
 El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area, Palawan
02
 Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, Palawan
03
04
Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park, Sibuyan Island, Romblon
 Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mindoro
05
 Mt. Isarog National Park, Camarines Sur
06
 Mt. Malindang National Park, Misamis Occidental
07
 Mt. Pulag National Park, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya
08
 Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
09
 Apo Reef Natural Park
10
 Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape
11
 Bataan National Park
12
 Kanlaon National Park
13
 Mt. Kitanglad Natural Park
14
 Mt. Apo Natural Park
15
 Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park
16
 Siargao Protected Landscape and Seascape
17
 Turtle Island Wildlife Sanctuary
18
Sustainable Building Design
Fisher (1992 in Soliman and El-Din Rashed 2002) listed five major principles of an environmentally
sustainable building design:

1 Healthful interior environment - materials and building systems should not emit toxic substances in
the building. Interior must be revitalized and cleaned with filtration and plantings.

2 Energy efficiency - Energy use must be minimized through energy, efficient cooling, heating, and
lighting systems.

3 Environmental form -The design of the building must be suitable for the ecology of the site, the nature
of the region, the climate, and local culture.

4 Use of ecological materials -The materials to be used in construction must also minimize destruction
of global environment by having low embodied energy, which is the amount of energy that came into the
sourcing, production, and delivery of materials used in construction.

5 Good design - means that efficient, sustainable, and elegant relationship of function, circulation, form,
mechanical systems, and construction technology have been achieved.
Ecotourism Facility Design
• The design and appearance of the ecotourism facility should be
compatible with the landscape and local conditions.

• The overarching design philosophy of the facility should be climate-

sensitive and exude a strong "sense of place."

• A sense of place is the feeling of being in a unique and authentic

setting as compared to what one feels when in a replicated site
(replica tourism).

• Creating a sense of place involves accentuating all the sensory

elements that make the place unique sight, sound, smell, texture,
and taste (Mehta, n.d.).
Ecotourism Facility Design

The aspect and Landscape features One design aspect in

orientation must must be reflected in this regard is to mimic
optimize insulation, design through scale, the surrounding areas in
ventilation, and heating form, color, and texture terms of the roofline;
and cooling. of the facility. pitched roofs will blend
well in a mountainous
area while flat roof lines
are suitable on flat
terrain, such as in a
desert or plain.
Ecotourism Facility Design
• For landscaping, endemic, low maintenance plant species must be
used.

• Imported plants sometimes cause species infestation and wiping

out of local plants.

• They are also more expensive to maintain or do not bloom or grow

into healthy plants. Special care must be given to trees that will be
affected by ecotourism-related constructions.

• The architecture and materials of the facility should reflect

indigenous design whenever possible. The facility must be designed
so that it does not dominate landscape features.
Ecotourism Facility Design
• Trees should be retained, relocated, or replaced. Mehta (n.d.) suggested
limiting pruning to preserve the natural appearance of landscapes; using
natural landscape approach where there is progression in size of plants from
small varieties or ground cover to larger shrubs located closer to building walls;
and using massing concept, which is the planting of the same species of plants
in clusters.

• The size of the ecotourism facility should be as small as possible with smaller
footprints, thus maximizing open spaces and will also result in lower
construction cost. (Concentrating development in a particular site will minimize
cost of infrastructure provision. In particular, common public areas like the
lobby, reception, parking lot, and restaurants should be located at the central
part of a park or resort to make them convenient for all guests.)
Ecotourism Facility Design

Adaptive reuse is
Recycling, water and Existing structures,
defined by Republic Act
energy conservation, particularly those
10066 (2009) as "the
and waste adjudged as heritage
utilization of buildings,
minimization buildings such as
other built-structures,
practices should be churches, ancestral
and sites of value for
visible and promoted houses,
purposes other than
to visitors. watchtowers, or
that for which they were
warehouses, should
intended originally in
be preserved and
order to conserve the
configured for
site, their engineering
adaptive reuse if
integrity, and
needed.
authenticity of design."
Ecotourism Facility Design
• Outdoor lighting may be used on pathways for orientation and safety
but not spotlights or floodlights, which create light pollution. To
further reduce the lighting, movement sensors and portable lights
may be used.

• Mehta (n.d.) recommended to minimize vehicular traffic inside the

site. Sufficient parking space must be made available at the
ecotourism park entrance and sustainable forms of transport (animal
drawn carts, bicycles, or golf carts) can ferry the guests into the park
itself. Internal roads should not be more than 5 meters wide to
discourage speeding and minimize impediments to wildlife mobility.
Ecotourism Facility Design

• In addition to the forementioned guidelines, Calanog et al. (2012)

suggested taking advantage of a site's natural scents and sounds. For
a country like the Philippines with heavy rainfall for half of the year,
they also recommend integrating cisterns, tanks, or dams to collect
rainwater for use during the drier months. This is especially advisable
for places where piped water is not available, such as on small
islands.

• Maintaining scenic views contributes value to the tourist experience.

By providing panoramic windows to let guests enjoy such views,
savings on interior and decorations.
Ecotourism Facility Design
• Units or rooms with better views can be sold at higher rates, contributing to
higher incomes. Taller buildings must be built behind shorter ones; cottages
must be arranged so the guests occupying rear units can still enjoy t natural
scenery. When possible, build only on one side of a river.

• Protection barri or guards should not be too high as to obstruct the view of
people on wheelchair.

• Do not plant trees that will obstruct a nice view; mangrove planting along
coastline where there are beautiful rock formations is not advised.

• When natural scenery is visible in certain cottages, a garden may be built

Within a courtyard, with having direct access to it by way of wide doors.

• Buildings must be below the trees line and ridgeline to preserve the natural
appearance of a place (Mehta n.d)
Tropical Design
In a tropical country like the Philippines, tropical architecture is most applicable.
According to Gut etal. (1993 in Ossen,Abdul Majid, &Ahmad, 2008), the main
principles in designing a tropically responsive building are:

1 Heat gain minimization during daytime and heat loss maximization at night in
hot seasons

2 Site selection according to micro-climatic variables

3 Building structure optimization with respect to thermal storage and time lag

4 Control of solar radiation, and

5 Regulating air circulation.

Tropical Design
Regulating the temperature in a building to comfortable levels may be done by
positioning the building properly, having adequate distances from other
buildings, installing shading devices such as: eaves and awnings around a
structure, installing 8-cm-thick polystyrene insulation underneath a metal roof.
Tropical Design
Having a green roof on the roof top,
having a hollowed attic and high For walls, lessening solar
indoor ceilings with ventilation mesh, absorption can be done by
using porous wall materials, and using light reflective material,
having walls with big openings like making the walls thicker and
doors and windows. having thermal insulation.
Tropical Design
For windows, it is important to position
them away from either east or west Raised floor design and use
whenever possible; planting trees of slatted floors can promote
around the building, landscaping, air circulation as well. Lighter
using vines and creepers on walls, colors with rough finishes
integrating internal shading devices also reduces glare.
are recommended.
Tropical Design
In the Philippines where there is
Putting screens on doors and windows abundance of sunshine during the
to prevent the entry of insects, first half of the year and rain during
sourcing materials locally which also the remaining half, rain catchment
nurtures local culture, Mosquitos can cistern and solar power for heating
be repelled by planting lemongrass, or lighting could be incorporated
marigolds, chilies, and basil. into the ecotourism site design.
Rainwater stored in such cistern
could be pumped to water gardens
and flush toilets.
Tropical Design
In addition to landscaping, Inskeep (1991) prescribed the use of
trees and shrubs for establishing pathways, controlling wind flows,
blocking unwanted views, and as fences or boundaries for tourist
sites to direct breeze and dissipate noise.
Inclusive Design

It is also advisable to make the PWD- firendly design must

site accessible to persons with provide for ample width for
disability (PWDs). Universal paths and boardwalks,
design concepts may be manageable slopes or
implemented inclines (1:8) and firm surface
in certain ecotourism sites. materials for wheelchairs.
Some tips from Byahut and Parks Canada on accessible outdoor
facilities include the following:
1. A minimum of wheelchair spaces for a seating capacity of up to 100 seats and four
wheelchair spaces for seating capacity from over 100 to 400 seats.

2. At least one accessible route complying with necessary dimensions for wheelchair
access shall be provided within the boundary of the site from ]public transportation
stops, accessible parking spaces, passenger loading zones, and public streets or
sidewalks to an accessible building entrance they serve.

3. Walks, halls, corridors, passageways, aisles, or other circulation spaces shall have
2, 000 mm minimum clear headroom.

4. The universal standard color contrast code of white and blue should be followed in
all the signage and all numeric as well as alphabetical information sources.

5. Ground and floor surface along accessible routes and in accessible spaces
including floors, ramps, stairs, and curb ramps should be level, stable, firm, and
slip-resistant.
Some tips from Byahut and Parks Canada on accessible outdoor
facilities include the following:
6. The edges of reflecting point must be protected by railings, walls, curbs, or detectable
warnings.

7. Accessible parking spaces shall be at least 2, 400 mm wide. Parking access aisles shall
be part of an accessible route to the building or facility entrance. Two accessible parking
spaces may share a common access aisle.

8. At least one accessible parking space must be provided for every 25 slots; two percent
must be accessible parking space if there are more than 500 slots.

9. At least one entrance in the facility should have accessibility to the disabled person. In
the case of a new construction, this entrance should be the main entrance. The position of
this entrance and alternate routes should be well-marked through proper accessibility
signage using the international symbol of accessibility.

10. Door handles should be lever type rather than circular knobsor latches.
Some tips from Byahut and Parks Canada on accessible outdoor
facilities include the following:

11. A toilet cubicle designed for a wheelchair user should be of internal dimensions not less
than 1, 500 mm x 1, 500 mm with a clear space not less than 900 mm wide next to the
water closet.

12. Clear knee space provided below a drinking fountain should not be less than 750 mm
high and 230 mm deep.

13. Provide boardwalks if topography is broken or rough to avoid compaction of sensitive

vegetation or where the ground is permanently or seasonally wet or soft.

14. Campgrounds must have natural-looking firm surface, not paved to maintain the desired
camping experience.

15. Provide floating docks in places where water level rises and falls.
Safety Considerations

Dangerous zones in the An ecotourism facility should

ecotourism park must be clearly be prepared for emergency
marked. The roofs of cottages, situations such as bush fire.
visitor center, lodges, and other There should be water tanks
covered structures must be able installed for such eventuality
to withstand 150 kph winds (Gil, 2009).
(Calanog, et al., 2012).
Safety Considerations
Boardwalks and ramps must be equipped with handrails while barriers or guards must be
installed along ridges to prevent fails.

Situate facilities away from wildlife habitats to avoid close encounters of humans and
potentially dangerous animals. Animals must not be caged; they should be allowed to roam
free in their natural habitat, so it is humans who are supposed to adjust.

Designated trails for biking and hiking to prevent park users from wandering into
potentially dangerous areas.

Single entry unisex bathrooms rather than multiple stall restrooms are preferred because
they prevent attacks from strangers because of better visibility. Access doors for these
toilets must be clearly visible to adjoining public streets or driveways.

Parking lots must be on level ground. Each slot must be wide enough for safe
maneuvering. Parking curbs or stoppers prevent cars from overshooting the slot and
bumping into another car or falling.
Cultural Sensitivity
The ecotourism facility must apply Toilet facilities must accommodate cultural and
religious preferences.
cultural sensitivity in the provision
and design of facilities. For example, there must be a combination of
both western (sitting type) and eastern style
For example, signage must be (squatting type) toilets. Toilet paper, bidet, or
multilingual based on the biggest hand showers must be available. If a place has a
national groups visiting the area. sizable number of
Muslim visitors, prayer rooms could also be
provided.
Gender Sensitivity
The needs of everyone must be taken into
consideration in the design Some areas are more liberal than others
of facilities. In particular, women and wherein gender-neutral toilets
LGBTQ visitors should have their are installed for male , female, and
own comfort rooms. Toilets for women people of any gender identity
must have more toilet cubicles (members of LGBTQ community).
than to. However, more conservative
societies will only install separate toilets
for male and female.
Thank
You!
CREDITS: This presentation
template was created by
Slidesgo, including icons by
Flaticon, and infographics
& images by Freepik