Environmental Design for Rural Tourism

Abstract

Recently, rural tourism has been proposed as an attractive solution to assist in the development of rural areas in many developed nations as well as in China. It has been seen as a logical means worldwide to help bolster declining rural incomes and lifestyles as well as preserve increasingly endangered natural environments. Thus, the Chinese government has actively been pushing various policies to help rural areas by supporting rural tourism and development in the countryside. Unfortunately, with this quickly expanding rural tourism industry, some projects that have been undertaken without due consideration have threatened the natural environment and traditional cultures in some rural areas. Yet, with proper planning and execution, rural tourism can be the answer to reviving rural economies and preserving both culture and environment. In this thesis, XuLing(胥岭) village which have characteristic beauty and a long history has been chosen as a model to develop rural tourism in a way that bolsters the local economy as well as preserve the natural environment. In order to discover the unique resources of the site, two methods were employed. The first method was an extensive field survey to find the visible and tangible assets. The second method was to discover the invisible assets such as customs, traditions, and historical relevance. After these two methods were facilitated, the results were synthesized to develop a plan for rural tourism and design. During the planning process, three resources have been chosen as valuable assets to develop and conserve. They are the terrace, water, and historical assets. Based on these three items, a design strategy has been made to develop the overall direction which focuses on improving the quality of life, providing real rural life experiences, and preserving the image of the village. Programs have been for this village considers both residents and visitors. These programs focus on the four areas of activity which are production, recreation, study or education and participation during the rural tourism experience. Within these four areas, many activities have been planned based around rural culture and farm work experience, scenic enjoyment, environmental education and events and festivals. To develop the plan, each site has been given a very detailed spatial program. Furthermore, the management and operations plan is done according to the rule that residents play the main role and should be considered first in the development and execution process. This subjectivity in management and operations has been done by considering how they contribute to the overall plan.