Site planning and architectural design considerations of resorts in mangrove forests

Abstract

The mangrove forest is a coastal wetland ecosystem dominated by halophytic vegetation growing in brackish or saline waters. This complex ecosystem is formed by the integration of a variety of plant and animal communities, living either as aquatic or terrestrial life. It is among the highest biodiversity ecosystems on the planet with net primary productivity of 2000 gC/m2/yr. The survival of living organisms (plants and animals) is directly influenced by physical and climatic factors that become the limiting factors for their growth. The forest also supports the human community that depends on the plants and animals for sustenance. Modification of the limiting factors would result in detrimental effects to the mangrove forest ecosystem. The rustic and soothing ambience of the forest is a resourceful setting for ecotourism. It can accommodate resort development when proper site planning and small-scale architecture are introduced into the ecosystem. Proper site planning means the building layout should minimize the modification of the physical and climatic factors as well as sensitive to visitors needs and local people culture values. The architecture should be low-rise buildings inserted among the tree stands and spread throughout the site rather than concentrated in small areas. All architecture should be raised on stilts and fully or partially ventilated so that visitors could experience and feel the real ambience of the mangrove forest setting.