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].

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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.

Page 27 of 33

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