Project Notebook

Abstract

My primary topic of study is the Sustainable Tourism of Niagara Falls and its Influence to the Urban Fabric of the local communities like that of Niagara Falls and Buffalo. Particularly focusing and having the interest in the spatial configurations of The Falls located in the border of Canada and the U.S. while trying to figure out the impacts/influences they have in the local communities. Focusing more into that scope, the impacts I will mainly focus on will be the relation in context with the site. I would like to study elements of the economic and social aspects: recreational, relaxation, sun/shade, circulation, gateways and entry places, etc. Anything and everything about social aspects of how a person thinks and acts in order to utilize the space. Sustainable tourism can be seen as having regard to ecological and socio-cultural carrying capacities and includes involving the community of the destination in tourism development planning. It also involves integrating tourism to match current economic and growth policies, which ease some of the negative economic and social impacts of tourism. Sustainable tourism is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems. At the same time, I want to focus on how these configurations work as a contextual influence to the people using the site. Where are these people going? Where they coming from? Why do they use this path? What are the physical conditions? In terms of sustainable tourism towards the local communities, economically the recreational activities could potentially help promote the growth of the income. Some of these influences may be visible physically, but as for some it may be through some research. The connection between the Falls and the local communities also play a significant part of how tourist and visitors in general navigate and move between the site and the city of Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY. Designated gateways are one of the most initially steps for tourism and movement between the places because without gateways; people can’t get to where they want and need to be.

Study Question

What is the influence of Niagara Falls as a tourism icon to the surrounding community of Buffalo, NY? Sub-Questions o Economic: Has it helped to grow the local economy, and if so, is the growth limited to Niagara Falls, NY? Are the limits of the economic contribution visible in the physical form and/or organization of the area? o Relationship(s)/Connections: How do people navigate/move between Niagara Falls and Buffalo? Are there designated gateways between the two areas? o How does the attraction/hotspot of Niagara Falls as a tourism icon, improve the economic growth and sustainability of its surrounding community in Buffalo, New York? o What is the relationship between spatial character and form of Niagara Falls in the city of Buffalo? o How can local communities contribute a new aspect of tourism to sustain their culture? o What is an urban fabric? What features does it consist of? o How does the size of the community affect the tourism in Niagara Falls? o In what relation does Niagara Falls have in context to its location? Keywords: Niagara Falls, tourism, economy, urban growth, amenities, commercial design, international ecotourism, eco-master plan, conservation, place product, sustainable development, global; comparative, landscape experience, place, urban fabric, scale, vacancy.