Sustainable Design for Geotourism Interpretation Centres: Enhancing the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project Experience

Abstract

Geosites represent important elements of geoheritage for promoting geotourism sustainable practices aimed at education and conservation. The Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project has several locations with geological, cultural and historical richness and the potential for geosites and tourist development. However, these places lack infrastructures that improves tourist reception and local geoeducation. In this study, Geotourism Interpretation Centres (GICs) were designed using sustainable and architectural criteria to improve geoeducation and geotourism in geosites of the Santa Elena Peninsula Geopark Project. The work included two stages: (i) selection of the geosites and (ii) design of the GICs. Four geosites were selected for the design: Barrio Ingles Ancon Parish, Manglaralto’s Coastal Aquifer, San Vicente Hot Springs, and San Rafael Mines. A GIC design adaptable to the four sites is proposed based on three zones: recreational–passive, services and cultural. The design prioritises sustainability, considering four criteria: political–economic, social, cultural and environmental. The proposal takes advantage of the area’s natural materials and the natural climatic conditions to offer a space that improves the geotourism experience in mimicry with the environment, promoting cultural roots and community benefit.