The tourism industry is extremely important for the Greek economy, but today it faces two threats to the natural, built and cultural environment on which it relies: the pressures exerted by mass tourism and the consequences of the climate crisis. In this article I will look at the contribution of architecture to managing these threats.
We are going through a period of strong tourism development, which, however, does not excuse us from asking important questions about some paradoxically negative effects: pressure on existing (weak) infrastructure, the deterioration of local cultural and natural elements and the threats to areas of high environmental value. The example of Santorini has been widely discussed in the Greek and international press as an extreme such case. Even NATURA areas receive an excessive number of visitors, often bringing about irreversible changes, while degrading the tourist product of the area.
The problem is particularly significant as emerging demographic developments (population aging in important existing markets) and the growth of tourism flows from new markets, mainly China, will undoubtedly increase the pressures on both tourism infrastructure and the environment. Maintaining a model of mass tourism does not seem to be the best for Greece.
Alternative forms of tourism
The development of the market for alternative forms of tourism, such as agritourism, nature tourism or rural tourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism, wine tourism, conference tourism and medical tourism, is a potentially strong counterweight to the current situation.
These forms extend beyond the peak summer season, often involving unsaturated areas and generating revenue from the provision of complementary services and products.Architectural design has an important role to play in creating or adapting infrastructure that is compatible with the needs and preferences of these visitors. Wine tourism is an interesting example. Many existing wineries have been upgraded by creating new or expanding existing tasting areas and emphasizing the direct relationship of the wine product with the natural environment and cultural heritage.
The environment
The most threatening dimension of our time is the climate crisis. Rising average temperatures and the effects of pollution are forcing us to devise ways to adapt the tourism industry, especially given that building infrastructure produces about 40% of greenhouse gases. The tourism sector can, by adopting sustainability strategies in construction and services, contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and, in particular, to the reduction of global warming.
The above trends create a complex, pressing framework in which Greek tourism must chart its course and create a series of challenges to which architectural design must also rise. They should, without harming the economic viability of tourism businesses, receive the attention required by the socio-cultural and environmental conditions of our time, when designing a new tourism model.
Above all, we must realize that the return on investment can be enhanced if it is based on two important pillars of sustainability: reducing the consumption of natural resources, mainly energy and water, which reduce operating costs accordingly and attract sensitized tourists. According to German and UK market statistics, sustainability is an important factor influencing tourist choices, and according to other relevant market research, this trend has increased significantly in recent years.Sustainable tourism product design is a strategic choice that has benefits both economically and culturally and environmentally.Architecture has a central role to play in this strategy. Architectural design must create functional proposals with high aesthetics, which give significant added value to the Greek tourism product.
Architectural Design & Technical Innovations
Architectural design should create functional proposals with a high aesthetic that give significant added value to the Greek tourism offer.
The integration of bioclimatic strategies in architecture functions as a methodology that makes the best possible use of the climatic parameters and in particular the microclimate of each area, ensures the prudent management of natural resources and helps to reduce energy consumption both during the construction or renovation phase. as well as during the operation of the business.
Bioclimatic planning strategies include the use of appropriate systems, either passive (eg natural ventilation and cooling, sunbathing and shading) or active (eg geothermal, renewable energy integration). Passive systems are based exclusively on the architectural design and the use of materials that this place offers us. They often incorporate traditional knowledge that has been applied to all lengths and breadths of the earth, which we are called to apply, enriching it with the use of new technological systems.
The choice of the appropriate orientation, based on the sunny conditions, the prevailing winds, the view, the relation with the natural and man-made neighbouring environment, are the starting points of passive planning and allows the application of the other basic elements of the bioclimatic architecture:
Natural ventilation and lighting
Ensuring natural ventilation and lighting contributes to the hygiene of the premises and the reduction of energy consumption and creates conditions of thermal comfort.
Shading
In a country with intense sunshine, such as Greece, the control of solar gains is another critical parameter of overall planning. It can also be a defining element of the building’s aesthetics, potentially creating new semi-outdoor spaces and new uses.
Selection of active systems.
The weather conditions in Greece force the architect to anticipate the integration of heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation systems in the building shell. The choice of mild cooling techniques, for example, such as ceiling fans, in combination with night ventilation are elements of an integrated bioclimatic design and drastically reduce the need for air conditioning.
Energy and water management systems
Different water saving and efficient water management solutions can be adopted, including technical systems of various types, water reuse, rainwater collection and the selection of endemic or dry planting species to reduce the need for irrigation.
Selection of building materials
The choice of exterior and interior materials is an integral part of a complete architectural study, as it affects the environmental footprint of the building both in the construction phase and during its operation.
The possibilities of reuse and recycling
It is the responsibility of architectural design to devise ways of recycling at the constructional and operational level, significantly reducing the burden on the environment
Surrounding outdoor areas
The design of the surrounding area and the provision of shading elements, appropriate planting, water surfaces or even windbreaks contribute substantially to the environmental behaviour of the infrastructure.
Awards for environmentally sensitive behaviour
Sustainable planning in the tourism sector does not limit the benefits to the visitor-client. On the contrary, the creation of new conditions and experiences that intensify the visitor’s relationship with the natural and cultural environment, is a form of luxury and a feel good factor that attracts a new and constantly growing clientele: the visitor who chooses sustainable forms of tourism.
In the international market there are a significant number of programs that ensure and promote the environmentally friendly behavior of tourism companies, awarding an eco-identity mark. Ideally, the state should adopt a reward system (for example tax reductions) for tourism businesses that implement sustainability practices.
Observers or drivers of sustainable development
The choices of the last decades and a series of conjunctures contributed to the impressive increase in tourists, but also to the problems that we mentioned above. The real challenge we face today is how to adopt a new and sustainable model of tourism development.
This model can be based on the sensitized visitor who understands the impact of their consumer habits. This is reflected in all levels of their lifestyle and consequently in the choice of their tourist destinations. This mentality is becoming more and more common as understanding of the damage to our planet’s ecosystems spreads.This visitor is willing to spend up to 20% extra to live an environmentally friendly travel experience, with respect for the place they visit while reducing their environmental footprint. By establishing good practices in tourism, we can not only contribute to saving the environment, but also to the development of a more efficient tourism market.
We need to focus on a tourism development whose resilience is based on an understanding of the interrelationships of the environment, innovative entrepreneurship, social needs and cultural heritage. Sustainable architectural design of tourist infrastructure can play an extremely important role in achieving this goal.