Search

This paper focuses on the meaning of the concept of sustainability in tourism and its indiscriminate and widespread use. In many cases, this concept has been transformed into a slogan for justifying certain developmental proposals in the tourism agenda of developing countries. Moreover, attempts are being made to counter the nave conclusion that the mere inclusion of sustainable development in tourism development is sufficient to counteract the harmful social and environmental effects at tourism destinations. This paper highlights some recent initiatives that foster the development of sustainable tourism in some areas and the use of some environmental management tools and methodologies in the planning of tourism activity as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How incorporate urban bioclimatic principles to achieve an environmental comfort for the design of public spaces in Chile? The future sustainable city is not that city that only puts together several buildings designed with passive conditioning techniques or with energetic efficiency principles. Geographic location, urban scale and the particular public space related to every place, involve different interactions that must be addressed in a systemic perspective of sustainable urban development. The aim of this paper is to initiate a bioclimatic and morphological analysis in main squares of different Chilean cities using criteria of sustainable urbanism, urban bioclimatic charts and interactions among urban morphology. This approach helps in understanding the environmental performance of selected squares, thus optimizing the social interaction that takes place at those spaces. The findings and conclusions hopes to contribute to lay the foundations for a more sustainable development of Chilean cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the project of construction of an industrial complex in the Rio Itata Valley, located in Bío-Bío Región, Ñuble Province, Ranquil Commune, Velenunque area, 54 kilometers North east from Concepción and 34 kilometers south west from Chillán. Ranquil commune or district, according to PNUD., is the least developed in the region and in the country. The proyect of "Empresa Celco Arauco y Constitución S.A." represents an initial investment of US $1.400.000. There is a strong opposition to the project because of the possible pollution that the complex might cause which would affect the sustainable development. However, the current country regulations have made the industrial project possible, this being a historical expectation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]