INTEGRATION OF LANDFORM AND CULTURAL DESIGN ELEMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF AN ECO-TOURIST RESORT, PLATEAU, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Eco-tourism the foundation of sustainable tourism development has emerged as catalyst for economic development for developing countries. The eco-tourist resort comprises of resort centres which focuses on visiting and dwelling in natural areas in order to learn, to study, to carry out environmentally friendly activities, that is tourism based on nature experience, which enables the economic and social development of local communities resulting in sustainable tourist practices. This thesis critically analyses Nigerian Eco- tourist resorts and the length of integration of landform and cultural design elements. By appealing to the descriptive method of research with the use of observation schedules, interviews, in-depth review of existing literature and purposefully selecting five eco- resorts in Nigeria. This research concludes that eco-resorts in Nigeria has integrated some key landform and cultural design elements ranging from the synergy of traditional and modern building materials, resort layouts as regards to landscape preservation and maximisation of views and adaptation of cultural elements as seen in the décor of some the selected eco-resorts, but equilibrium has not been achieved. Furthermore, a design proposal was developed from the findings that  incorporated landscape and cultural elements in an eco-tourist resort in Miango, Plateau state, Nigeria. Hence there is a need to adopt recycling measure in eco-resorts and provide spaces for cultural galleries, in order minimize the environmental  impacts  and  maximize the benefits  on  the local population, as well as propose homogenous designs in harmony with the locality.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of Study

Notwithstanding the sways on tourism caused by the devastation of September 11, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) showed in 2007 that tourism and travel is still the world’s foremost export-earning industry (UNWTO 2007). Therefore, it is seen as an economically attractive route for developing countries (Hughes, 1998). Although there is criticism of the negative effects of tourism on environmental, social and cultural conditions (UNEP 2007). These criticisms are echoed in a rising awareness and concern from consumers and an expressed preference to engage in “unique and culturally authentic travel experiences that protect and preserve the ecological and cultural environment” (Stueve & Cook, 2002).

These events have led to the development of eco-tourism, which has become a rapidly increasing sector of the tourism industry, proposing a moderately guilt-free environment in which to satisfy the desire for travel and adventure. The exponential growth of this area since 1970 has resulted in eco-tourism being hailed as the fastest growing tourism sector at the end of the century and into the new millennium (Hughes, 1998). The eco- tourism expanse has also attracted much interest from researchers, most notably within the areas of cultural studies and geography. However, there has been very little work undertaken in relation to the built infrastructure that supports the tourist experience, particularly from within the discourse of architecture. Nevertheless, architecture is inevitably part of any tourist experience and fundamental to the construction of meaning of place and identity. It forms part of the expansive space of tourism and contributes to the “culturally created spectacle” (Lasansky, 2004).

Although,  this  situation  is  only  intensified  in  an  arena  where  ‘nature’  is  the primary  focus  of  the  experience,  for  both  sustainability  discourse  in  general,  and eco-tourism discourse in particular, this ‘natural’ domain is seen as something that is untouched  by humans,  or at  least  by industrialised  societies  (Hovardas  & Stamou,

2006).

Landform architecture in eco-tourism appeals to the natural discourse, landforms are natural geographic features or shapes that appears on the earth’s surface (Zawawi et al.,

2014). Large landforms include mountains, plains, rivers, while small landforms include hills and billabongs. Landforms are created and shaped by geographic forces of nature, such as tectonic movement and erosion, natural landscapes are made up of a variety of landforms (Zawawi et al., 2014). Landform architecture serves as a combination of earthwork and framework, contributing to reconnect man-made construction with site context, human perception, and environmental considerations.

Landforms and landscapes around the world are valued by many different people for many different reasons, the value a person attach to a particular landscape often depend on factors such as age, occupation, education, cultural background and individual experiences (Choi & Sirakaya 2006). Cultural value of land is expressed through the concept of ‘country’ indigenous people believe that myths of dreamtime bind them to the land, they also believe that their ancestors lived on through the land and ensured their continuing connection with it (Briedenhann & Wickens, 2004). The cultural value land can be expressed by people through creative means such as poetry, literature and architecture.

For the purpose of these thesis the cultural value of land will be expressed through architecture, the thesis aims at integrating a strong sense of place which will be evident

in all key decisions ranging from choice of building materials, interior décor and site related practices.

1.2       Statement of the Research Problem

The  need  for  economic  diversification  in  most  developing  countries  is overwhelming because of their defining mono-cultural economic characteristics where only one or two commodities dominate exports and provides the bulk of foreign exchange  from  which  these  countries  could  reconcile  their  internal  and  external balances. Nigeria is one of such country seeking to diversify its economy away from crude oil production to maximize employment and income generating opportunities (Ekanayake & Lonng, 2012). Nigeria has huge tourism potentials, especially given its natural and diversified landscapes but lacks effective and tourism supporting and enhancing infrastructure. Tourism is acknowledged as an effective way to revitalise the economy of any destination as noted by and widely acknowledged as one of the fastest growing industry globally (Raymond, 2001). If not harnessed, Nigeria could be missing out on an economic booster in tourism that also affords for better foreign investments.

The thesis aims at exploring the role of architecture in eco-tourism, the architectural area of emphasis which centres on landform and cultural elements where carefully selected so as to demonstrate the in-depth essence of eco-tourism.

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the project is to integrate landform strategies and cultural elements of the

Irigwe people in the design of an Eco-tourist facility in Miango, Jos, Plateau State. The objectives of this study are to;

i.      Assess the operational framework of Eco-tourist resorts.

ii.      Assess the key landform design strategies.

iii.     Assess the key cultural elements adopted in the eco-resorts in Nigeria.

iv.      Develop a design framework for the adoption of key landform and cultural design elements in a proposed eco-resort in Miango, Plateau State.

1.4       Scope of the Study

The scope of this study will focus on  application of landform  and cultural design elements in eco-resort design. In this vein, the scope of this study is limited to eco- design  strategies  adapting  to  natural  landforms  and  cultural  elements  which  to  be located in Miango, Jos, Plateau state.

1.5       Limitations

The major limitation encountered is hindrance to some eco-tourist facilities near the site based on the security challenges being encountered in some remote parts of Miango especially in remote areas, hence some site related data gathered where restricted to digital mappings and photographs.   Also, the limited number of resort centres that adapted landforms and cultural elements in their designs within the study area poised as a limitation.

1.6       Justification

Given the definition of tourism by the World Tourism Organization  (WTO) as an activity involving the travels of persons to places outside their usual environment for not more than once for leisure, it is indicative of how such activities may benefit host and local economies and communities.

This is particularly the case as the notion of tourism has grown from the pursuit of the privileged  few  to  the  indulgence  of  the  masses  (Ayeni  &  Ebohon,  2012).  Indeed, tourism has a range of benefits both to the individual tourist, tourism organizations and the local economies and communities in terms of employment, income, and enhancement to the quality of life (Ayeni & Ebohon, 2012). Studying into cultural and landform elements in eco-resorts will truly provide vital information and possibilities that will benefit the tourism industry in Nigeria, provide the Government with passive means of boosting tourism within the nation, serve as an economic potential, provide development for the host communities and also provide relevant Architectural strategies for

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