Typology of ecotourism territories elements in context of urbanism development: system approach

Abstract

Spatial development of ecological tourism territories is characterized by contradiction between recreational use and preservation of ecological and cultural heritage. Russian and foreign researchers devote their works to the objects of tourist territories. However, the principles of environmental education and behavioral norms are still poorly transferred through architecture. The authors propose representing the elements of the ecotourism territory arrangement as a unified information system in order to reduce the anthropogenic load. Each element of this system is subordinate, complements and is a continuation of the elements of higher ranks. This system addresses the main contradiction of ecotourism territories, and ecotourists move along the formed routes using norms and rules of environmental behavior. Visitor centers and ecological routes are identified as key elements of urban development of the ecotourism territory. They are characterized by ecological-educational, tourist-informational, cognitive-entertaining and research functions. The results of the study are important for systematization of knowledge in the field of ecotourism, as well as for the development of strategic territorial planning documents.