Positive tourism precinct outcomes in developing countries

Abstract

Overriding goals and aims of improved and ongoing ecological performance arise when implementing ‘sustainability’ throughout the delivery process. This is seen where innovative organizations want their tourism developments to become accredited iconic master planned facilities. In a developing country using assessed world best practice planning, design, construction and operational principles has distinct advantages. An integrative process methodology leads to projects becoming great places to visit, to stay and to work. Adopting integrated economic and holistic approaches can result in decisions that provide long and short stay residents with healthy lifestyles and improved quality of life opportunities. These outcomes are closely linked to improvements in the built and natural environment so that it delivers for example privacy and quiet along with opportunities for safe and possible inspiring interaction with others. Also protection and regeneration of large areas of existing landscape encourages respect for the surrounding ecology and bio-diversity. As well they encourage equitable economic opportunities and growth. However reward and recognition go hand in hand with the approach. This paper reports on the use of an assessment framework tool engaged on several projects in China and Vietnam. The tool known as the EarthCheck Precinct Planning and Design Standard (PPDS) gave consideration to a perception that where positive development principles are being applied to mixed-use precincts there needs to be a means by which the outcomes of drivers can be assessed, benchmarked and certified as industry best practice for improved and on-going ecological performance betterment. The standard supports full integration of total development processes which aids delivery of balanced triple bottom line agendas.