the viability of integrating green and vernacular architecture in the tourism development of donsol,...
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A Research Proposal prepared for Plan 299 Research Methods in Planning Class of Dr. Sheila NapalangTRANSCRIPT
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
SCHOOL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING
In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for
Research Methods in Planning (Plan 299)
1st Semester, A.Y. 2012- 2013
The Viability of Integrating Green and Vernacular Architecture in
the Tourism Development of Donsol, Sorsogon
Submitted to:
Ma. Sheilah Gaabucayan-Napalang, Dr. Eng.
Professor
Submitted by:
Vinson P. Serrano
October 2012
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents 2
I. Background and Significance of the Study 4
Introduction 4
Donsol, Sorsogon as Main Study Area:
Looking At Whale Shark Ecotourism Activity 4
II. Review of Related Literature 5
Green and Vernacular Architecture: Social Acceptability To Achieve
Sustainability 5
Role of Architects and Environmental Planners in the protection of the
environment 7
Studying Vernacular Architecture: Approach and Methodology 7
Vernacular Architecture vis-à-vis Green Architecture 8
Vernacular and Green Architecture
Towards Green Urbanism and Sustainability 10
Ecotourism and Carrying Capacity: Definition 11
Establishment of Carrying Capacity 12
Donsol, Sorsogon: Local Government Unit Profile 14
III. Research Problem 18
Conceptual Framework 19
IV. Data Collection 20
A. Methodology 20
B. Tools 21
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V. Analytical Method 22
VI. Research Timetable 23
VII. Bibliography 25
VIII. Appendices 26
Donsol Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Tourism 26
Proposed General Land Use Map 28
Tourism Facilities Map 29
Sample Survey Questionnaire 30
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I. Background and Significance of the Study
Introduction
Vernacular and native are two words more often than not associated, and these
two concepts generally refer to a language or dialect of a people, associated with
architecture given a qualitative status. Architecture as defined as both art and
science of designing, building, and creating spaces in the context of utility,
strength, and beauty. In recent years of study, vernacular architecture has been
viewed with relation to green architecture, which mainly involves the use of the
traditional materials and setting for the consideration of the design and operation
of the built environment. But from then, there has been no clear evidence or
studies on the correlation between vernacular and green architecture. For instance,
green architecture has demonstrated huge impacts on energy efficiency and
environmentally sound design, but to look on the concept of vernacular
architecture has not been directly correlated to each other. On the other hand,
vernacular architecture tries to pursue knowledge on the traditional architecture
that is born out of the place where it originated. Both areas of specialization are
often associated to each other but the fundamental framework between the two
concepts has not been established yet in the recent years.
Donsol, Sorsogon as Main Study Area: Looking At Whale Shark Ecotourism
Activity
In January 1998, the sudden discovery of whale sharks or Butanding
(Rhincodon Typus) along the shores of Donsol, Sorsogon in the Bicol region has
turned a once-quiet town from an ill-equipped community into a potential
ecotourism destination in the country. Such discovery brought an influx of tourists
and unprecedented effects of the growing community development giving rise to
several community development problems. Moreover, the concept of ecotourism
is to be further established in the operations of the municipal planning
development as it aims to become an effective tool for conservation towards
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sustainable development.1
Donsol, Sorsogon hailed as the Whale Shark Capital of the World for having
the biggest number of whale shark congregation on a single time of sighting has
tremendously contributed to the socio-economic prosperity of the municipality
and to the entire region as well. Such incidence raised the economic activities
consequently benefiting the vast majority of villagers on creating small to medium
enterprises and adding an alternative source of livelihood to the community. This
scenario has brought the municipality with the rapid increase of urban
development, not only on infrastructure but also on other sectors which might
pose a threat on the sustainable ecotourism development on the region. Likewise,
the promotion on sustainability and ecotourism practices were being implemented,
but the physical developments were not being strictly monitored in the recent
years.
II. Review of Related Literature
Green and Vernacular Architecture: Social Acceptability To Achieve
Sustainability
Discussing the importance of vernacular architecture was the main point of
study published by Oliver in his book, ‘Built To Meet Needs: Cultural Issues In
Vernacular Architecture’. According to Oliver (2006)2, one of the importance of
studying vernacular architecture is that it is in the quest for knowledge of the
diversity of mankind’s solution to the problems of dwelling and accommodation
of sacred and secular community functions. Ergo, looking at vernacular
architecture as a social issue is also significant for the mutual benefit of cultures
all over the world. This explains the relationship between man’s culture and living
conditions, how architecture has transformed the lives of people in relation to the
natural context of its environment. Looking at the roots of the past, this study
1 Serrano, V. 2010. Aquatika: Whale Shark Exploration Center: Undergraduate Thesis. BS Architecture.
University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture. 2 Oliver, P., 2006. Built to meet needs: cultural issues in vernacular architecture. 1st ed. Oxford: Elsevier
Ltd.
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suggests that it is more logical to find appropriate solutions and to explore more
on these concepts, thereby making it necessary to explore, to arrive with dynamic
and effective solutions for the benefit of solution finding on various social
problems. Through this study, it is further aimed to give significant contribution
for the mutual benefit of cultures all over the world, finally giving connection on
the social dimensions of the physical built environment.
His statements were further explained that to be able to reconnect the
associated context of vernacular architecture to the different cultures all around
the world, studying vernacular architecture would not only give way on the deeper
level of understanding but will also create practical applications on indigenous
solutions to environmental problems that may give a material incentive to the
urgent recovery of vernacular know-how. This will pave the way on how
knowledge on vernacular architecture may unlock questions and ideas on the
connection of the future to its roots. Oliver (2006) said, “For a culture without the
presence of its history is a culture without roots and, very possibly, without
meaning.”
This level of association to the varying scale and detail of studying vernacular
architecture, exploration on this idea may give numerous solutions that will
further lead to the idea of authoritative and monumental architecture, and the
concept of exploitation of natural resources. This will find connection on how
people will build the foundation of inheritance, that vernacular architecture may
be passed on to future generations in a manner where it is technologically
undamaging- allowing technology to prosper without giving damage to the
environment, culturally acceptable- maintaining the soul of one’s culture to
permeate on the innovations of architecture, and symbolically significant
buildings- buildings that are of importance and can become representation of a
community, in compatible landscape environments. To arrive with architecture
that is socially encompassing while keeping its harmony on nature it is indeed,
architecture that is ‘of the people’ that can be truly lived.
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Role of Architects and Environmental Planners in the protection of the
environment
Oliver (2006) emphasized on his study that essentially, architects play an
important role in conservation of the natural and built environment. Conservation
as a practice involves a more interpretative work- a discipline that seeks to
recreate the qualities of vernacular architecture without imitating them.
Vernacular architecture not only teaches how to use the natural resources, but also
on how to employ proper use of energy, which corresponds to its relationship to
the concept of green architecture.
Similarly, environmental planners who do provide development plans for a
probable time in the future may aid architects in the process of conservation.
Planners may incorporate concepts of conservation, looking at its innate potential
as means of development of the socio-economic growth of a community.
Studying Vernacular Architecture: Approach and Methodology
Oliver (2006) described that there are two methodologies of studying
vernacular architecture, 1) Without formal-, a discipline-based on researcher’s
interest, and 2) Meticulous recordings of structural information and building
details. On these two types of methodology, a research may opt to get involved in
the study of vernacular architecture depending on the researcher’s interest and
technical know-how. These methodologies further explain that upon pursuing the
type of methodology, such use of methodology may depend on the type of
application of study of vernacular architecture.
In relation to the context of social dimensions of vernacular architecture to its
application to the study of green architecture, concepts published in the book of
Hawkes et. al,3 ‘The Selective Environment: Environmental Design and
Cultural Identity’ explains the direct relationship of environmental design and
cultural identity. Three distinctive modes of environmental control may be applied
3 Hawkes, D., McDonald, J. and Steemers, K.., 2002. The selective environment: an approach to
environmentally responsive architecture. London: Spon Press.
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in architecture, 1) conservative- which is global in view, 2) selective- which is
regional in view, and 3) regenerative- which is local in view.
Hawkes et. al. (2002) explained that these modes of environmental control can
be treated inductively (micro to macro level approach) or deductively (macro to
micro level approach) depending on the scale of observation in which the
environmental design and cultural identity is being viewed. This elucidates the
variety of approach that can be used to define the magnitude of impacts of
environmental control in relation to the concepts of vernacular architecture.
Vernacular Architecture vis-à-vis Green Architecture
Similar to the level of approach to Hawkes is the concept of ecodesign of a
environmentalist, architect, and urban planner, Ken Yeang relates the concept of
environmentally sound architecture to his term ‘ecodesign’ which he referred to as
the seamless benign environmental integration of all human-made environment
and all human-made activities with the natural environment. Yeang (2006)4
believed that the vital premise and the predominant issue in ecological design or
‘ecodesign’ is essentially one of the effective integration of all our human-made
systems with the natural systems and processes in the biosphere. In this context, to
be able to create a harmonious relationship between the built and natural
environment, there are three separate levels to approach the objective of
biointegration- 1) dispositional, 2) geographical, and 3) locational integration of
our built environment. Such levels of approach looking at the viewpoint of two
researches solidify these concepts. However, Yeang (2006) further elaborates the
idea to achieve the systematic approach to biointegration.
Systematic-integration is the integration of the flows, functions, operations,
and processes of our built environment with the process and functions of the
ecosystems and the biosphere. This process would involve the assessment of all
the processes of the natural and built environment and on how these processes can
be integrated to a system without causing any harm or damage to one another.
4 Yeang, K., 2006. Ecodesign: A Manual For Ecological Design. 1st ed. Great Britain: Wiley-Academy.
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This system of integration aims to achieve harmony in terms of the operation of
all buildings with respect to the local site context, with the view of climate,
geographic location and typology, and its social and cultural acceptability
(Yeang).
Temporal integration is the integration at a sustainable rate of the use and
consumption of the natural resources, ecosystems, and biospheric processes by
humans and by our built environment with the natural rates of renewal and
regeneration occurring in the ecosystems and in the biosphere, as defined by
Yeang (2006). Through which, to be able to meet a responsive vernacular
architecture that is ecologically sound, the extraction of materials to be used
should be carefully assessed and maintained at a rate that should not be consumed
to further depletion. Through which, the final component of integration would
consist of the consequences of the built system’s emissions and outputs and of
their reuse or recycling within the existing human-made environment including
their eventual assimilation or reintegration to the natural environment. Following
the cycle, after careful integration of the natural and built environment, the built
environment is aimed to be united with the natural environment not just on the
context of physical foundation but also on its life-long cycle of operation.
Ecodesign involves territorial shaping of that human-made environment’s
form and of its content, functions and processes and the monitoring of its passage
during its life cycle, where the environmental consequences of its creation as well
as the environmental consequences of its total set of environmental interactions,
its inputs and outputs and the other related aspects and activities, such as
transportation, etc, are carried out so as to integrate benignly, seamlessly and
symbiotically with the natural environment (Yeang).
In conclusion, the theoretical framework of green design should be a designed
system that acts like a living organism: in place of food, it uses energy and
materials, and also produces outputs into its environment. Out theoretical
structure should therefore model all these exchanges (Yeang).
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Vernacular and Green Architecture Towards Green Urbanism and
Sustainability
Steffen Lehmann on the concepts of green urbanism- relationship of the
vernacular and green architecture to its subsequent effects on urbanism at large
greatly contributes to the promotion of sustainability of a particular place or a
community. According to Lehmann (2007)5, sustainability in architecture is about
an attitude of making place and space, and less about the technological solutions
to ‘ventilation’. Lehmann (2007) emphasized that it is important to recognize that
architecture is predominantly about meaning, about human experience and
substance. Such recognition to the meaning, experience, and substance of the
social context of architecture can be attributed to vernacular architecture which
looks at the entire paradigm of human in relation to its built and natural
environment, and on how the social conditions were transformed according to
these physical conditions. Furthermore, Lehmman (2007) further elaborated that
architecture and urban design have the potential to re-establish its relationship
with nature, the climate, the experience of the sun, the rain, and the wind.
Looking at the context of effects of green urbanism, one major aim is to
facilitate the revitalization of pedestrian-friendly city center wherein questions on
urbanization patterns, density, public transport, sprawl, water management, solar
orientation, day lighting, construction systems, supply chains, etc., are absolutely
crucial in the process of urban design decisions (Lehmann).
Important points in consideration on the research of sustainable urban design
recommends through the adaptive re-use of former industrially used sites which
called as ‘brownfield’ sites, the careful consideration of placement of buildings
(orientation), and how compactly they are grouped has a fundamental and direct
impact on energy consumption, determines traffic patterns and thus, the
production of green house gases. In which, the overall development of the built
and natural environment and its density influences directly the urban climate.
5 Lehmann, S., 2007. Sustainability on the Urban Scale: Green Urbanism. Hanoi, Vietnam. 15-16 2007.
Hanoi: International Conference on Sustainable Architectural Design and Urban Planning.
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As density was introduced by Lemann (2007) as a planning issue on his paper
on sustainable architectural design and urban planning, Daniel Klauss (1998)6
relates the conventional patterns of urban development that have frequently led to
lower densities and greater infrastructure costs are unlikely to remain
economically feasible, as the greater dispersion of activity centers lead to an
increased automobile dependency. Klauss (1998) explained that the aim of a
significant amount of new developments is to get the right mix of usage, scale,
and increased density to create a city center with a compact and spatially complex
model. Through consideration of new models of urban centers, all aspects of the
environment have to be considered, wherein in urban context, the quality of space
and light, the compositional questions of urban form and grouping, and the choice
of materials all have to be considered as an integral part of an ecological, well-
balanced proposal. Thereby, agreement on the general idea of several authors that
the greatest challenge in terms of sustainable building lies in the area of energy
consumption through operation.
As an over-all view of the study, Scott (2007)7 said that environmentally
responsible design is at its best when it achieves an outcome in which the
environmentally sensible elements are closely linked to the design process, go
beyond being additive, and become meaningful parts of an architectural whole.
Ecotourism and Carrying Capacity: Definition
According to The Australian National Ecotourism, Ecotourism is defined as
nature-based tourism that involves education and interpretation of the natural
environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable.
On the other hand, The International Ecotourism Society defines Ecotourism
as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves
the welfare of local people.
6 Klaus, D., 1998. Low-Tech.Light-Tech.High-Tech.Bauen In Der Informationsgessellschaft.. Bikhaeuser,
Basel. Berlin. 7 Scott, A., 2006. Design Strategies For Green Practice. In: Journal Of Green Buildings.vol.1, number 4.
College Publishing. Virginia.
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Therefore, Ecotourism and sustainability defines minimizing negative
environmental and cultural impacts while maximizing positive economic impacts.
Such a focus is a means to the end of achieving sustainability. Tourism
Sustainability is postulated to result from a positive overall balance in
environmental, experiential, socio-cultural, and economic impacts 8 (“experiential
impact” is used to describe the effect of visitors on each other and “socio-cultural
impact” is used to describe the effect of visitors on local residents). Thus, tourism
activities that generate more positive net benefits would be more sustainable, in
general, than tourism activities that generate fewer positive net benefits. 9
The nature component is descriptive or positive in the sense that it simply
describes the activity location and associated consumer motivations. The
sustainable component is prescriptive or normative in the sense that it reflects
what people want the activity to be. An important point is that, as used here,
sustainability incorporates environmental, experiential, sociocultural, and
economic dimensions.
According to Halpenny (2002), carrying capacity is a measure of the amount
of human activity that a site can biophysically sustain without severely changing
its ecology.10
It aims to establish the limits of tourism development in a particular
towards the general concept of sustainability.
Establishment of Carrying Capacity
Halpenny (2002) provided a set of criteria on how to estimate the carrying
capacity of a site and establish limits for environmental change is listed below:
8 Wood, M.E., 2002. Ecotourism: Principles, Practices, and Policies. United Nations Environment
Programme. UN Publication. 9 Lindberg, K. et.al., 1998. Ecotourism in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues and Outlook. The International
Ecotourism Society. 10
Halpenny,E., 2002. Marine Ecotourism: Impacts, International Guidelines, and Best Practices Case Studies. The International Ecotourism Society. Burlington VT.
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• Inventory environment including wildlife, geological and water resources,
cultural monuments, etc. and categorize (e.g. fragile/resilient;
dry/waterlogged; habitat/non-habitat).
• Maintain an inventory of all resources used and the potential impact that the
planned uses could potentially have. The resource should be defined in small
units (e.g. a patch of rare plants, a bird rookery, a temple).
• Experts such as scientists and planners are important in determining what
negative impacts are possible and what it takes to mitigate those impacts.
• Identify all cultural and natural resources appropriate for ecotourism
use/visitation. Also identify other ecotourism components (e.g. restaurants;
mooring buoys). Note the location of both ecological and tourism resources
and consider this in planning/estimating ecotourists’ activities at the site (e.g.
an ecotourist may snorkel at the coral reef and then walk through the coastal
dunes to eat lunch at the ecolodge’s restaurant).
• Evaluate available water and power resources that the site can yield to
determine the limit of sustainable ecotourism use (e.g. quality and flow rate of
underground water; hours of direct sunlight; potential rainwater yield).
• Identify the specific kinds and levels of use (e.g. daily hiking for groups of 15
visitors to the same site, etc.)
• Identify level of service proposed (e.g. will the operator provide a temporary
camp vs. an ecolodge).
• Estimate the maximum number of visitors using the site at any one time.
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• Estimate effect of climatic conditions on different parts of the site and
therefore on sustainable numbers of visitors, use and impact (e.g. effect of
recurrent high rainfall and cold winds).
• Evaluate the extent of buildings, landscaping and equipment – including
extent and impact of construction, infrastructure and waste.
Donsol, Sorsogon: Local Government Unit Profile
Donsol is a coastal town with a total land area of 152.99 sq. km. and is located
at the northwestern part of the province of Sorsogon, which occupies the southern
terminus of the Bicol Peninsula. Of the total land area, about 25.64 sq. km.
comprises the built-up urban area and 15.68 sq. km. is devoted to agricultural
purposes, and about 13.86 sq. km. is reserved for recreational and tourism
purposes. Some 5.33 sq. km. of undifferentiated lands including waterways of are
not fully developed.
It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Jovellar, Albay, on the
northwest, by the municipality of Pio Duran, Albay, on the south by the Burias
Pass and on the east part by the municipality of Pilar, Sorsogon.
It is geographically located
about 12° 54' 26.896" north latitude
and 123° 36' 28.867" east
longitude. It is 66 kilometers away
from the City of Sorsogon and 51
kilometers away from the City of
Legazpi in the province of Albay.
A provincial road connects Donsol
to the municipality of Pilar while
provision for road network
connecting Donsol to the two adjacent municipalities of Jovellar and Pioduran has
been considered and included in the development plan of the municipality.
Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Ph_locator
_sorsogon_donsol.png
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The creation of Donsol as Settlement, originated in the latter part of the 18th
Century. It was said that a group of refugees led by a certain Francisco Noradi,
collectively called “Miraya” in reference to residents near Mount Mayon near the
Province of Albay, escaped and settled to a place away from the furry of said
Volcano during one of its destructive and horrifying eruptions.
Donsol got its name from “donsol” or “dosol”, an indigenous local medicinal
plant, which grew abundantly in the settlement area. A more plausible version was
about a blacksmith in the place, famous for his skills and of his “donsolan” – a
Bicol term for anvil or iron stand upon which the blacksmith pounds and forges
red-hot iron into tools or weapons. Unfortunately, the name of said blacksmith
was wire-corded in history. Eventually, people called the whole settlement area as
Donsolan.
In the early years of this settlement and during Spanish rule, Moros from
Mindanao who refused to acknowledge Spanish colonization, periodically
marauded and invaded the coastline of Bicol. Thus, the inhabitants of Donsolan
were constrained to abandon the place and create a new settlement wherein the
municipal government was established. The place is now called Brgy. Banuang
Gurang or Old Town while the former settlement area is now called Brgy.
Dancalan.
To defense the perennial Muslim invasion, the provincial government of
Albay sent coast guard patrol to Quipia River (now Donsol River) and to the
Burias Pass and this hostile situation improved. After security had been attained in
the area, the seat of the municipal government was transferred to a new place just
across the river from Brgy. Dancalan. This new place had opportunity for
expansion being on a wider plain and now the present site of the Poblacion area.
During year 1800, Donsolan became an independent municipality and possess
legal existence as one of the towns in the Province of Albay, with Don Mariano
Adrian elected as the first Gobernadorcillo. In the book “Ibalon” written by Don
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Mariano Adrian, the government of Alcadia Mayor de Albay decreed however,
Donsolan as an independent town in year 1880.
It is of faith and religion, the existence of the municipal parish was proven by
the water wells within the church of Quipia. Furthermore, records show that the
first baptism was held on January 1890 with Father Monico Barrameda as Parish
Priest. The Parish saint of that is Senior San Jose and celebrated the town fiesta in
his honor on the 19th
of May every year.
During year 1894, Sorsogon was declared as a separate province. Along with
this declaration, Donsolan and Pilar were separated from Albay on October 17,
1894 and included in the newly declared province in exchange for the towns of
Rapu-Rapu and Manitto.
The name Donsol means “Mr.Sun”. Donsoleños however, never had any
pagan worship to the sun. It may be presumed that the mapmakers wanted the
town to be likened to the Sun. e.g. full of energy and accordingly, the Spaniards
recorded and place as Donsol.
Through the years, the Municipality of Donsol basically remained as an
Agricultural Town. With the improvement however, of the vital transportation and
other infrastructure facilities, the municipality is gradually progressing socially
and economically. Much to its advantage is the now worldwide recognition of the
municipality as one of the best place for animal encounter. Tourism economy now
significantly contributes to the development of the municipality. This is
manifested by the regular infux of both domestic and foreign tourists all eager to
see and interact with the visiting whale sharks locally known as Butanding along
the coastal waters of the municipality particularly during Butanding Season.
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The settlement role of the municipality of Donsol under the Sorsogon
Provincial Physical Frameworks Plan, Year 1993- 2002 is that of a small town. Its
principal role therefore is as a Small Agri-Processing.11
Sitting on the northwestern part of Sorsogon Province, Donsol marks the
provincial boundary on the northwest, adjoining the province of Albay. The town
has 51 barangays, 11 of which are situated in the coastal areas of the municipality.
With a population of 39,995, population growth is relatively high, at an annual
rate of 3.23%, higher than the national average of 2.36%. Fishing is the primary
source of food and income. Noel Castro, a former coastal barangay captain reports
that, prior to the tourism boom, there had been few development projects in his
community; until recently and the common sources of drinking water were water
pumps and open wells.12
In a case study presented by WWF- Philippines entitled Community-Based
Ecotourism and Coastal Resources Management Project in Donsol, Sorsogon13
,
Pine (2007) presented the current conditions of whale shark interaction activities
in Donsol. This case study gave a good situational approach of the existing
conditions of the ecotourism activities. Since 1998, WWF-Philippines have been
assisting the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Donsol in conserving the whale
sharks (Rhincodon Typus) and developing a community-based whale shark
ecotourism program for the municipality. The project supported the establishment
of a community-based ecotourism program and participatory assessments as basis
for coastal management. Since 2002, 8,088 visitors descended to Donsol earning
the town PhP 4.2 million in registration fees, whale shark tours and other services.
The direct monetary benefits are equitably shared among whale shark interaction
officers, banca operators, LGU and tourism suppliers. Whale shark tourism is
currently the number one tourist destination for Bicol Region and was awarded the
11
Municipality of Donsol, Sorsogon. 2009. Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Local Government Unit of
Donsol,Sorsogon. Donsol. 07/17/2009. 12
Pine, R., 2007. Community-Based Ecotourism and Coastal Resources Management Project in Donsol,
Sorsogon. [online] Available at: <http://www.wwf.org.ph/about.php?pg=wwd&sub1=00011>. [Accessed 17
July 2009]. 13
Pine, R., 2007. Community-Based Ecotourism and Coastal Resources Management Project in Donsol,
Sorsogon. [online] Available at: <http://www.wwf.org.ph/about.php?pg=wwd&sub1=00011>. [Accessed 17
July 2009].
Page 18 of 33
Kalakbay Award for the best ecotourism destination in 2003. In 2004, TIME
magazine cited Donsol as the best animal encounter destination in Asia. To
protect the whale shark habitat, WWF-Philippines in cooperation with the LGUs
will implement coastal resources management in 11 barangays and in the
neighboring town of Pilar. The project gained more momentum when the newly
elected mayor of Donsol renewed the enforcement campaign against illegal
fishing. Satellite tagging and photo-identification efforts are currently being
implemented to determine Whale shark migratory routes and to estimate the
numbers that visit Donsol annually. The project is supported by USAID through
WWF-US. The satellite tagging efforts are supported by WWF-Denmark.
III. Research Problem
Studying green and vernacular architecture is not only aimed to contribute to a
more in-depth study of architecture in the Philippines. In relation to the tourism
development of Donsol, Sorsogon, and how the sudden turn of events gave
implications on the physical character of the municipality, this study suggest to
answer questions that will give adequate attention to the issues of this research
proposal. Among which are listed below:
1. How can tropical and sustainable design further contribute to the development
of Donsol, Sorsogon?
2. What are the effects of tropical and sustainable design on the current typology
of architecture in Donsol, Sorsogon?
3. How can architectural sustainability be attained in the rural landscape of
Donsol, Sorsogon?
4. What are the effects of intrusion of modern architecture in the rural landscape
of Donsol, Sorsogon?
5. How can green and vernacular architecture be embraced by the locals to
achieve sustainability?
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Upon arriving with necessary data the study will further lead to the analysis
and possible recommendation of the research topic. Illustrating the flow of the
proposed research activity, the conceptual framework will show the over-all
dimensions of the study.
Conceptual Framework
The research work will mainly focus on the assessment on the development of
Donsol, Sorsogon looking at the aspects of the applied green and vernacular
architecture within the municipality. This aspect will be correlated with the issues and
concerns of sustainability, and on how these two main concepts were developed to
further contribute to the entire tourism development of Donsol. The introduced
concepts will be expounded by looking at its primary importance and relevance to the
existing rural and urban development and on how it generally affected the tourism
sites.
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IV. Data Collection
For the development of this research activity, the proponent will be using a
specific research methodology through which data will be collected and analyzed.
Through the extraction of available data through primary and secondary data
gathering, and conduct of focus group discussions, survey, the research activity
aims to gather and generate information that will be crucial to the final analysis of
this study. Likewise, data generated through these methods will indicate scientific
bases for the results.
In response to the research problems identified to be answered by this
research, the following methodology and tools to be implemented are the
following:
A. Methodology
1. Primary data gathering will involve data collection to establish a database
of physical developments on the municipality. This will determine the
current status of the study area’s architectural typology. Manual tagging of
sites and with the aid of geographic information system (GIS) software
applications such as Google Earth and ArcGIS will be used to determine
the types of architecture existing on the municipality.
2. Thus, windshield survey will document the current physical developments,
and later be compared to the previous years of development through
comparative method.
3. Secondary data gathering will link and validate the primary data collected
through event structure analysis. This will involve cross-referencing and
checking of existing data from the municipality of Donsol to verify the
conditions of the site. Sample data which will be gathered through this
method are the following: Verification of Existing Land Use Map- to
verify the physical conditions of the site, and Case Studies pertaining to
the tourism development pertaining to its physical contributions to the
community.
4. Conduct of survey on stakeholders primarily on the tourism sector, to
further educate the research proponent on the intermediate and concurrent
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effects of tourism to the physical developments of the study area other than
its physical implications. Historical trending and comparison may be
conducted depending on the results of the discussion.
5. Survey on local stakeholders to establish local data, also to establish
several point-of-views for the study, and to determine the stakeholders
with level of viability of the study are with regards to the effects of green
and vernacular architecture to the tourism development of the
municipality.
B. Tools
During the course of research, the following tools will be used to
establish data. It is important to know that in order to come up with the
measures viability of green and sustainable architecture to the tourism
development of the Municipality of Donsol, these tools will aid the proponent
to establish bases for conclusion and recommendation and primarily to
determine the existing local condition. Among which are the following:
1. A Physical Development Map will be generated to determine the
developed areas of the study area.
2. Comparison of site photos that may be collected from the Municipal
Planning Development Office of the study area.
3. Survey questionnaires to be answered by the following stakeholders, that
aims to determine the viability of green and sustainable architecture to the
tourism development of the study area:
a. Municipal Officials (Local Development Council)
b. Tourism Sector Stakeholders such as Tourism Officer, Representatives
of various private groups such as tourist operators and assistants, travel
agencies, locals, and other related groups that may be identified within
the course of study
c. Focus group discussion primarily on experts and historians that have
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knowledge about vernacular architecture and sustainability
d. Focus group discussion on key informants with greater knowledge and
observation on the physical developments of the study area
V. Analytical Method
Upon generation of required data for the proposed research activity, the
proponent is tasked to undertake the specific analytical method for the arrival of
results and recommendation through the generated qualitative information. Some
of the qualitative information, such as perception and sentiments of interviewed
stakeholders will further give basis on the assessment of the effects of green and
vernacular architecture on the tourism development of the study area.
Proceeding primary and secondary data gathering, verification and validation
of data from the existing sourced data from the municipality will be done to
further establish the developments through historical analysis. This will determine
the trend of architectural typology of Donsol in the recent years, to correlate the
physical developments to its effect on tourism development.
After validation, maps will be generated to illustrate physical developments,
and documentation of current and previous photos collected from various sources.
Mapping and photomontage will be done as main basis of comparison to further
illustrate changes happened and implemented on the physical fabric of the study
area.
Assessment of the survey forms will be done measuring the perception of
locals and tourists with regards to the implications of green and vernacular
architecture to the tourism development of the study area.
Through validation of data, results and recommendation will be given through
the application of systems approach, where each sector will be interdependently
analyzed and later will be correlated to one another.
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VI. Research Timetable
Research Activity
Period of Accomplishment
(Month and Week No.)
June July August September October November December January
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Topic Selection and Drafting of
Research Proposal
Conduct of Preliminary Readings and
Review of Related Literature
Establishing Conceptual Framework
Identification and Formulation of
Research Questions
Selection of Research Strategies and
Methodology
Creation of Research Tools and
Questionnaires
Data Gathering
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Research Activity
Period of Accomplishment
(Month and Week No.)
June July August September October November December January
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Consolidation of Data and Research
Conduct of Windshield Survey
Conduct of Interviews
Conduct of Actual Survey
(One week will be allotted for the Pilot Survey)
Findings and Report Writing
Recommendation Writing
Presentation of Results
Legend:
Note: One (1) week of research activity is equivalent of eight (8) working hours per day on five (5) days of the week excluding Saturdays and Sundays.
Holiday or Research Break
Conduct of Research Activity
Page 25 of 33
VII. Bibliography:
Serrano, V., 2010. Aquatika: whale shark exploration center: Undergraduate
Thesis. BS Architecture. University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture.
Oliver, P., 2006. Built to meet needs:cultural issues in vernacular architecture. 1st
ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.
Hawkes, D., McDonald, J. and Steemers, K., 2002. The selective environment:
an approach to environmentally responsive architecture. London: Spon
Press.
Yeang, K., 2006. Ecodesign:a manual for ecological design. 1st ed. Great
Britain: Wiley-Academy.
Lehmann, S., 2007. Sustainability on the urban scale: green urbanism. Hanoi,
Vietnam. 15- 16 2007. Hanoi: International Conference on Sustainable
Architectural Design and Urban Planning.
Klaus, D., 1998. Low-tech.light-tech.high-tech.bauen in der-
informationsgessellschaft. Bikhaeuser, Basel. Berlin.
Scott, A., 2006. Design strategies for green practice. in:journal of green
buildings. vol.1, number 4. College Publishing. Virginia.
Wood, M.E., 2002. Ecotourism: principles, practices, and policies. United
Nations Environment Programme. UN Publication.
Lindberg, K. et.al., 1998. Ecotourism in the asia-pacific region: issues and
outlook. The International Ecotourism Society.
Halpenny,E., 2002. Marine ecotourism: impacts, international guidelines, and
best practices case studies. The International Ecotourism Society. Burlington
VT.
Municipality of Donsol, Sorsogon. 2009. Comprehensive land use plan. Local
Government Unit of Donsol,Sorsogon. Donsol. 07/17/2009.
Pine, R., 2007. Community-based ecotourism and coastal resources management
project in donsol, sorsogon. [online] Available at:
<http://www.wwf.org.ph/about.php?pg=wwd&sub1=00011>.[Accessed 17
July 2009].
Page 26 of 33
VIII. Appendices
Donsol Comprehensive Land Use Plan: Tourism14
Existing Situation:
Existing tourism situation within the Municipality of Donsol in terms of
attractions, facilities and services are manifested by the following indications:
1. Natural eco-tourism attractions abound in the municipality
particularly firefly watching at Barangays Gimagaan, San Ramon
and Ogod. Waterfalls at Barangays Tuba and San Rafael; Butanding
interaction off the municipality waters at Barangay Dancalan and
adjoining Barangays; and mangrove areas along Donsol River.
2. Man-made attractions such as the Grotto Chapel at Barangay San
Antonio and the Astillero Archaeological Site at Barangay Dancalan;
3. Annual Butanding Festival held during Butanding Season which
attracts participants local and foreign
4. Potential tourism sites such as Proposed Eco-Park at Barangays
Market Site and Bororan and another Eco-ark proposed at Barangay
Punta waling-Waling.
5. Tourism accommodation facilities within the municipality consists of
the Visitor Center at Barangays Dancalan and several facilities such
as the Amor Beach Resort at Barangay Apuyan, Residential Inn at
Barangay Tres Maria, Woodland Beach Resort at Barangay
Pangpang, Inday Tourist Inn & Lodge at Barangay Punta, Santiago
Tourist Inn at Barangay Ogod, Hernandez Guest & Pension House at
Barangay Poso and Sea Breeze Canteen at Barangay Dancalan.
Development Needs:
1. Inadequate infrastructure support facilities for tourism development.
2. Inadequate development of tourism facilities or services.
Tourism strategies based on SWOT Analysis Conducted are as follows:
1. Sustainable development of eco-tourism attractions and other tourism related
activities or facilities.
14
Donsol Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Local Government Unit of Donsol,Sorsogon. 07/17/2009.
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2. Institutionalization of tourism activities within the municipality.
3. Vigorous tourism marketing campaign to enhance more influx of tourism
visitors in the municipality both local and foreign.
4. Development of priority infrastructure support facilities for tourism.
Development Goal:
Full development of tourism potentials of the municipality in a sustainable
manner.
Development Objectives:
1. Sustainable development of tourism attractions within the municipality.
2. Development of tourism facilities and services.
3. Provision of adequate infrastructure- support facilities priority for tourism.
Development Targets:
1. Sustainable development of all tourism attractions within the municipality.
2. Developed tourism facilities and services.
3. Adequate infrastructure-support facilities priority for tourism.
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Research Topic:
The Viability of Integrating Green and Vernacular Architecture in the Tourism Development
of Donsol, Sorsogon
Introduction:
Good Day!
I am Vinson P. Serrano, a researcher working on the Viability of Integrating Green and
Vernacular Architecture in the Tourism Development of Donsol, Sorsogon. In relation to this
study, obtaining feedback from you is an important input in our research. Kindly fill-up this
survey form and it is assured that no personal information will be disclosed for the analysis of
this survey. All responses will be confidential and will be compiled together and analyzed as
a group.It will only take less than 5 minutes.
Thank you very much!
INSTRUCTION
Please read carefully and fill-up the spaces below. Kindly indicate your answer in part I-
Profile of Respondents and check the box that is appropriate in part II – the Survey proper.
I. Profile of the Survey Respondent:
Category of Respondent: Tourist Local
Age: ______ Sex: ________ Civil Status: _______ Occupation/Profession: ___________
Educational Attainment: Elementary High School College
Present Address: (barangay or city)_____________________________________________
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SURVEY PROPER
II. Survey Questions:
1. How long have you been staying in Donsol?
Less than a year
One year- two years
Two years- five years
More than five years
2. Do you know the tourist attractions in Donsol?
Yes
No
If yes, what are the tourist attractions that you know? Firefly Watching
Manta Ray Diving
The Grotto
Catundulan
Tuba Falls
The Astilleros Site
Tankulan Mangrove Ecopark
Butanding Arribada Festival
Whale Shark Interaction
Snorkeling
Boating
Scuba Diving
2. What is your purpose of visiting Donsol’s tourist attractions?
For relaxation and recreation
For work
For study
For vacation
Others (please specify)
_______________________________________________________________
4. How do you find the character of Donsol with regards to its physical
development?
Poor
Satisfactory
Very Satisfactory
Excellent
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5. Do you even consider the type of architecture in your preference for tourist
attractions?
Architecture defined as the art and science of design of buildings and other
infrastructure governed with the principles of function, safety, and aesthetics. (Source: FDK Ching Visual Dictionary of Architecture)
Yes
No
6. What are type of developments you have seen in Donsol as an effect of Tourism? Bahay-Kubo inspired accommodation facilities
Internet-ready tourism spots
High-rise and modern type of accommodation facilities
High-end bars and night clubs
Open parks
Nature centers
Hiking centers
Camp sites
Museums
Educational Facilities
Concrete/asphalt road developments
Steel bridges
Transportation Terminal
Casinos
Dining/Restaurant
7. Envision Donsol to be developed in the next ten years, what type of development
would you likely want to have in the municipality?
Developments that blend the natural surroundings, horizontal and tradition driven
Modern and urban development, vertical and high-technology driven
8. What are type of developments would you want to see in Donsol? Bahay-Kubo inspired accommodation facilities
Internet-ready tourism spots
High-rise and modern type of accommodation facilities
High-end bars and night clubs
Open parks
Nature centers
Hiking centers
Camp sites
Museums
Educational Facilities
Concrete/asphalt road developments
Steel bridges
Transportation Terminal
Casinos
Dining/Restaurant
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9. Do you like how Donsol was developed in terms of its current physical
characteristics?
Yes
No
Situational Questions:
10. If you were to stay in a hotel, what kind of hotel would you prefer? (Please select one among the given choices based on your preference)
High-rise, concrete-mass structure
Native, bahay-kubo/ filipino-inspired structure
11. If you were to choose between the given sets of tourism activity, what would
prefer most? (Please select one among the given choices based on your preference)
Nature-inspired activities
City or urban type of activities
12. If you were to dine with your loved ones, what would you prefer most? (Please select one among the given choices based on your preference)
Dining by the bay, with the view of Donsol’s coastline
Dining inside a restaurant, with a good interior design
13. If you were to stay in a hotel, what kind of hotel would you prefer? (Please select one among the given choices based on your preference)
Modern-looking structure, with elevator and fully-airconditioned
Filipino-inspired structure, with natural ventilation with split-level floors following
the natural site contour
14. In your personal view, does the tourism development have an effect on the
physical development of Donsol?
Yes
No
15. Comments, Suggestions, Reactions on the Physical Development of Donsol
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
END OF SURVEY