Sustainable Lakeshore Tourism

Abstract

This thesis examines the importance of urban lakeshore waterfronts for they are merely large wetlands, that play a crucial role in maintaining eco-balance, protecting bio-diversity, and replenishing underground water sources. In addition to numerous social functions and relaxation, they can provide economic development in the form of sustainable tourism as well as prosperous destinations undulating ‘sense of place’. Extensive study and analysis of this valuable resource will provide indicators on how to integrate water, land, and urban needs of a declining waterfront in a harmonious fashion. Excelsior, Minnesota located on Lake Minnetonka has a rich tradition of tourism. This design will emulate current trends of cultural landscapes revealing how natural and human factors interact through a sustainable approach. Sustainability will serve as the bonding agent in which this design evolves, re-establishing Excelsior as an ecotourist destination.