It is important to understand the meaning of the term built environments before discussing the impact of tourism on the said category of environment. The environment is classified into four main categories that include cultural, physical, ecological and built environment. A built environment comprises of all the surroundings made by human beings.
The built environment provides a setting for human activities and is therefore an important aspect of the general environment. Buildings, parks, roads, transport systems and supporting infrastructure such as energy and water are the essential components of the built environment. It is impossible to have cities and neighborhoods without the spatial and material aspects of built environments.
Human beings play, work, live and recreate in built environments. It is not possible to have tourism activities without the built environments. Landscape architecture and public health are other essential elements of built environments (Nigam 26). This paper will discuss the impact of tourism on built environments.
The impact of tourism on built environments is always big and can not go unnoticed (Nigam 29). It is important for authorities in tourist destinations to ensure that the negative impacts of tourism do not supersede its benefits (Nigam 29).
Most tourist destinations are found in rural areas, and therefore the need to build accommodation facilities for visiting tourist has led to the disappearance of rural settlements. Although the development of tourist facilities creates employment opportunities, the rural settlements are disappearing at a faster rate with agricultural land being used to set up tourist hotels (Swarbrooke 47).
Hotels, shops and residential buildings developed in these tourist destinations lead to new cities. Many people migrate to tourist cities in search of business and employment opportunities, and in some instances the influx leads to the sprouting of informal settlements (Swarbrooke 47).
The new settlements are sometimes contrary to the land use policies of a particular city or state (Swarbrooke 52). New neighborhoods always come up in tourist destinations contrary to settlement plans.
The demand for more hotels and shops is normally high in tourist destinations and threfore leads to pressure on the available land. Tourism helps in the preservation of rural shops and post offices which are used to serve tourists (Goeldner 37).
On the other hand, tourism can lead to vandalism, soil erosion and general damage to the landscape. Tourists can enter footpaths with cars and in the process damaging them (Hinch 127). Litter problems and fires are some of the negative effects of tourism on the landscape. Tourists engage in outdoor activities some of which damage the countryside in different ways (Hinch 127).
Planning polices are never followed in the majority of the built-up areas in tourist destinations. Tourism has been growing at a faster rate with many people around the world going for holidays. The influx of tourists in tourist destinations without any anticipation from local authorities leads to unplanned cities and settlements (Hinch 127).
The new tourist facilities that are developed near tourist destinations are sometimes abused by visiting tourists without them being considerate in any way (Edgell 79). Facilities such as botanic gardens should be maintained by the local people without completely relying on tourists.
Tourism leads to the conservation of parks, gardens and other tourist attractions. It takes the effort of the local people and tourism management bodies in conserving parks and other tourist attractions (Edgell 79). The revenue generated from tourism is normally used to maintain parks and other tourist attractions. Unplanned cities have serious implications on the wellbeing of local people (Edgell 79).
Infrastructure and transport systems are other components of built environments that tourism has a significant impact on (Nagle 29). Holiday-makers move from one place to another, and therefore travelling facilities are essential for their stay in tourist destinations. Authorities in tourist destinations invest heavily in infrastructure development in order to attract tourists (Edgell 103).
Tourists travel a lot and therefore transport infrastructure such as roads, airports and railway lines are very essential. Tourism leads to the building of new roads that lead to tourist attraction sites (Edgell 103). New airports and railway lines are also a common spectacle in many tourist destinations.
The improved infrastructure benefits both the visiting tourists and the local people (Swarbrooke 54). Transport infrastructure increases accessibility to other essential commodities such as food. A good road, railway and air network ensures that tourist hotels are supplied with food and other necessities on time (Swarbrooke 54).
The revenue generated from tourism is used to maintain and builds new transport infrastructure for the benefit of tourists and local people (Nagle 31). Many people are able to invest in the transport sector because of good infrastructure (Nagle 32). Transportation systems of a tourist destination reflect the level of growth of the tourism industry.
Apart from the positive impact, tourism can also affect the local infrastructure in a negative way (Nagle 32). An influx of tourists in a particular destination without adequate transport infrastructure can lead to a transport crisis. Tourism can lead to uncontrollable traffic jams that are not good for the economy (Nagle 32). Congestion of vehicles on roads leads to their destruction and in most cases accidents.
The high demand for transport facilities can lead to the development of roads, airports, and railway lines in areas designated for human settlement (Nigam 41). Failure to follow the required policies and plans is always a recipe for disaster.
The congestion of vehicles on roads leads to increased noise and air pollution. Water, electricity and energy are essential elements of the built environment that are normally affected by tourism. Water and electricity supply is a priority in tourist destinations across the world (Nigam 41). Tourist hotels need a reliable water and electricity supply in order to sustain tourists.
Tourism leads to improved water and electricity supply which have a positive impact on built environments (Nigam 41). People use electricity and water in their homes and workplace, hence the availability of these essential commodities is always a welcome relieve for local residents.
In some instances, the authorities in tourist destinations give priority to tourists by diverting water and electricity to tourist hotels at the expense of local residents (Nigam 42). The ever increasing number of tourists in tourist destinations can lead to a shortage in water and electricity supply (Nigam 42).
The various forms of energy available in tourist destinations are also affected by tourism in different ways (Nigam 42). Tourism leads to the establishment of both renewable and non-renewable forms of energy which supplement the increased demand for energy. An increase in the number of tourists visiting a particular destination leads to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road (Nigam 42).
An increase in the number of vehicles can lead to a fuel shortage incase proper plans are not put in place to deal with the high demand for fuel. The authorities in tourist destinations have a responsibility of ensuring that the tourism industry is not affected by constant fuel shortages (Edgell 104). Transportation is critical in the tourist industry because tourists need to move from one place to another.
Public health is another essential aspect of built environments that is normally affected by tourism (Edgell 104). The built environment is normally designed and planned with the health and wellbeing of residents in mind (Goeldner 112). The design and creation of neighborhoods as a result of tourism have an impact on the health and physical activity of residents.
Congested neighborhoods due to an influx of tourists limit the walkability of those neighborhoods. Residential areas with more walkability are said to have healthy and fit residents compared to neighborhoods with less walkability (Goerldner 112).
The physical activity of residents in neighborhoods with more walkability is normally high with few cases of obesity being reported. Residents in neighborhoods with less walkability are associated with high rates of depression that leads to alcohol and substance abuse (Goeldner 112). Neighborhoods established as a result of tourism should have adequate security and sidewalk constructions to enhance walkability and connectivity.
Tourism leads to the improvement of the bikeability component of built environments including access to community gardens and grocery stores (Edgell 104). Access to healthy food is also enhanced by a well planned built environment. Tourist hotels need to access healthy food for visitors.
Congestion in tourist destinations affects access to grocery stores and completely limits the physical activity of both tourist and local residents (Edgell 104)). Convenience stores sprout in congested neighborhoods with some of them selling fast-foods that are not healthy.
A concentration of convenience stores increases cases of obesity among children. Land-use and environmental planning can be enhanced or disrupted by tourism depending on how strict the authorities are (Hinch 134).
Tourists prefer to stay in neighborhoods that have more walkability and connectivity that enable them to explore freely (Hinch 134). The surroundings near tourist hotels should offer a free and less congested atmosphere for tourists.
The landscape architecture is another component of the built environment that tourism has an effect on (Nagle 32). Built landscape such as gardens and recreational parks are important tourist sites that need to be well maintained (Nagle 32). Tourism leads to the establishment of additional gardens and parks to provide recreational facilities for tourists and the local people.
The proceeds from tourism are used by local authorities to maintain existing gardens and parks and at the same time build new ones (Nagle 32). In cases where the number of gardens and parks are not relative to the number of tourist arrivals, there tends to be a lot of pressure on the existing built landscape facilities.
Some inconsiderate tourist can litter gardens and even end up destroying them. The landscape architecture can be improved or destroyed by tourism (Nagle 32).
In conclusion, tourism impacts built environments of a tourist destination either positively or negatively. Proper planning and building polices are essential in ensuring that the built environment is improved rather than destroyed by tourism (Hinch 134).
An increase in the number of tourists in a particular tourist destination should go hand in hand with the built environment facilities. Authorities in tourist destinations should not ignore building policies and plans just to please tourists. Failure to follow building plans may have long-term implications on the built environment (Hinch 134).
All human activities take place in built environments, and therefore authorities should develop strict policies and plans to minimize the negative effects of tourism on built environments. Local authorities should use proceeds from tourism to maintain and develop the facilities that make up the built environment.
Works Cited
Edgell, David. Managing Sustainable Tourism: A legacy for the Future. New York: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Goerldner, Charles. Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print.
Hinch, Tom. Sports Tourism Development. New York: Channel View Publications, 2011. Print.
Nagle, Garrett. Tourism Leisure, Recreation. New York: Welson, Thornes, 1999. Print.
Nigam, Devesh. Tourism, Environment, and Development of Garhwal Himalaya. New York: Mittal Publications, 2002. Print.
Swarbrooke, John. Sustainable Tourism Management. New York: CABI, 1999. Print.