Of Land, Earth + Sea: A Re-Mastered Beach Resort
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Abstract
Beaches, resorts, and recreational activities serve as a main source
of attraction for some cities across the world that reside next to large
bodies of water. This often leads to cities becoming dependent on tourism
for their source of income and identity. However, some resorts do not have
the ability and accessibility to resources in order to become sustainable.
Small towns with beach resorts often do not have facilities and equipment
to progress towards a sustainable resort. The landscape surrounding
a resort often can affect tourists’ comfortability and experience around
the resort.
A master plan emphasizing sustainability and a landscape would encourage
resorts to become self-sustaining and provide the necessary resources
to enable a sustainable environment. This landscape will not only provide
sources for resort residents and faculty, but also serve new activities for
the site. This will not only support the economy by providing jobs but will
present new opportunities for programmed activities for a resort. Investigating
successful sustainable resorts and programmed activities will focus on new
strategies to promote green spaces for not only urban design, but resort
design as well. Researching methods to accommodate mitigation within a
resort will not only address safety for tropical storms, but also drainage
for the site.
This thesis research will provide a layout for Paradise Cove, located in Freeport
Bahamas, on how this resort will incorporate a landscape design that will
address the micro-climate and mitigation while also implementing new programmed
activities. Nevertheless, it will also emphasize expanding the resort site in order to
shelter tourists and employees in order to achieve the goal of becoming a
self-sustaining resort.