Sustainable Tourism in Hikkaduwa; Evaluations of Sustainability Parameters and Design Recommendations

Abstract

This research intends to identify the factors that influence the tourism industry of the Hikkaduwa coastal area and to give an overall architectural guideline to implement sustainable tourism. At present, rapid and unsustainable development of the Hikkaduwa area has caused different kinds of environmental, economic and social issues. Many of those cases have been identified and studied on coastal tourism, sustainable parameters and existing regulations related to urban planning to give out solutions. Based on these studies, a case study was done for identifying the special characteristics of Hikkaduwa for modifying and adjusting the parameters that are fitting for Hikkaduwa. While following these parameters, the study has proposed a suitable design guideline for the overall Hikkaduwa study area. These proposed parameters and guidelines are supportive to the existing regulations and these architectural solutions have been implementing the criteria for sustainable development automatically. Therefore, the study contributes new knowledge for achieving sustainable development and creating a city on sustainable tourism.