Urban Ecotourism ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Urban Ecotourism

Replies: 14 - Last Post: 02-Jan-2005 11:56 Last Post By: planeta

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Posted
22-Jul-2004 15:43
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

Urban Ecotourism

You're invited!

Planeta.com announces the dates of our 14th online event -- the Urban Ecotourism Conference: September 20-30, 2004
>> http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/tour/urban.html

The Urban Ecotourism Conference examines how cities conserve the environment -- from creating parks to educating young and old. Participants will brainstorm about alternatives to urban sprawl. Be prepared to share lessons learned -- what to repeat and what to avoid!

Right now in this prep stage, I'm collecting questions that might be answered in dialogue. If you have any suggestions or questions of your own, post them here.

Here's what I have so far ...

What are best case examples of urban ecotourism around the globe?

What are policy recommendations to promote nature-friendly travel in urban environments?

What is the relationship between urban centers and more remote ecotourism destinations?

What are recommended guidebooks for visitors seeking eco-friendly services in cities?

What is the market for urban ecotourism?

If any of this sounds interesting, I hope you can join us online the conference in September.

Cheers!

Ron Mader
Planeta.com
>> http://www.planeta.com

Posted
22-Jul-2004 16:51
by: keithr

Posts: 1,315
Registered: 31/10/00

1

Hey Ron, how about a report on how the big Oaxaca garbage clean-up worked out?

Keith's story

Posted
23-Jul-2004 05:45
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

2

Thanks, Keith

Earlier this year I announced a small get-together for a trash pick-up in Oaxaca City. Details ...

That said, not much to report. About 5 of us went to the park at Ciudad Universitaria and picked up some trash and threw it into the appropriate recepticle. It was a good way to spend a few hours on Earth Day!

Ron

Posted
25-Jul-2004 17:58
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

3

The Urban Ecotourism Conference will focus on urban conservation efforts that welcome/invite participation from travelers. For details visit the Conference Center

As to the Nobel Prize for Sustainable Development, that sounds great. If you can, let them know about the event.

As to visiting Planeta ... I don't know anyone who has visited the entire site!

Ron

Posted
31-Jul-2004 15:35
by: poetprince

Posts: 1,714
Registered: 22/01/02

4

how about lobbying for legislation
to have cities implement rooftop gardens
there are acres and acres of land
pushed up and out of sight
by the mere existence of buildings in cities
the plants would help clean the air of carbon dioxide
and replenish it with oxygen
corporations could sponsor universities
by having specific eco systems
and plants in danger of extinction
in greenhouses atop their buildings
that students could study right in their own hometowns
employees could enjoy lunch in a less hostile environment
refreshing themselves and becoming more productive at work
perhaps their brains would begin to work
and we would have even more people contributing to society
in ways that are positive
instead of feeling dead on their feet

there's a whole world up there
just waiting to be discovered

~poetprince

~poetprince

Posted
06-Aug-2004 03:50
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

5

It's time we pay more attention to the role cities play as the gateway to 'pristine' areas and as proper ecosystems. It's helpful to look at urban conservation, recycling, gardening and eco-friendly transportation.

Here are four articles that are excellent reading

Rooftop Gardens - Cityfarmer
http://www.cityfarmer.org/rooftop59.html

Sprawling Cities, Higher Scales - Dan Ackman/Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2003/08/29/cx_da_0829topnews_print.html

Urban Parks: Innovate Or Stagnate - Planetizen
http://www.planetizen.com/news/item.php?id=9179

Goiás Velho: Sustainability through Tourism - Bill Hinchberger/Brazilmax
http://www.brazilmax.com/news1.cfm/tborigem/pl_pantanal/id/6

Posted
10-Aug-2004 04:17
by: poetprince

Posts: 1,714
Registered: 22/01/02

6

thanks Ron
it's inspiring to know
there are people like you
who are doing something positive for this world

fight the good fight brotherman

~poetprince

p.s.

great articles btw..

~poetprince

Posted
15-Aug-2004 21:07
by: jhackett

Posts: 6
Registered: 06/01/03

7

Which cities have the greatest percentage of urban forests?
Which cities link their parks and gardens with eco corridors?
Which cities promote car free days and family weekends?
Which cities are proactive when it comes to creating affordable parks and reserves?

can we build upon the sustainable cities model or can we try and create stronger links between cities with the same population etc?

Posted
18-Aug-2004 09:52
by: ECOCLUB

Posts: 13
Registered: 18/08/04

8

If one thinks about it, even conventional tourism at one's home town, is far more ecologic and economic than flying half-way around the world to see "an endangered species" or "a remote tribe". However this is usually dubbed leisure, rather than tourism, as far as statisticians are concerned.

My question is in what way should urban ecotourism differ from urban tourism: is it a matter of avoiding the crowds and visiting less obvious cultural or natural sites - going where the urban crowds go, using public transport - or something deeper involving education, immersion, politics, being an integral part of the city itself, being an active, eco-minded citizen, seeking worthy causes and activities to patronise. And can tourists really do that in a city other than the one they are living in? It is hard, unless you know someone, especially if you do not speak the language, and no matter how many good guidebooks you buy. On the other hand, trying is better than going straight to the familiar multinational fast-food joint.

ECOCLUB, International Ecotourism Club, http://www.ecoclub.com

Posted
19-Aug-2004 04:56
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

9

ECOCLUB brings up an excellent point:

Quote
If one thinks about it, even conventional tourism at one's home town, is far more ecologic and economic than flying half-way around the world to see "an endangered species" or "a remote tribe". However this is usually dubbed leisure, rather than tourism, as far as statisticians are concerned.

Now what if you take an out-of-town visitor?!

Next month we will conduct the online seminar focusing on urban ecotourism. What I'd like to hear are suggestions from people who live in a particular city what they would suggest as places to visit and experiences to savor. Chances are that people who live in a particular city don't know which eco groups they can join or which parks have educational programs which they can participate.

For those of us who frequent Thorn Tree, maybe now is a good time to start posting tips and suggestions about places to visit and HOW to visit places where we live.

Ron Mader
Planeta.com

Posted
19-Aug-2004 06:03
by: ECOCLUB

Posts: 13
Registered: 18/08/04

10

Ron asked "Now what if you take an out-of-town visitor?!"

The reply was in my second paragraph:

"And can tourists really do that in a city other than the one they are living in? It is hard, unless you know someone, especially if you do not speak the language, and no matter how many good guidebooks you buy. On the other hand, trying is better than going straight to the familiar multinational fast-food joint"

I think, the people who live in a particular city, those who care at least, rather than the life-stylers, know very well which eco groups they can join. By revealing all such information to the life-stylers, one may be doing a dis-service and commercialising the last authentic parts of a city. It is the equivalent of a mass circulation paper writing a wonderful story about an unspoiled beach or village, or a diver admiring a reef by touching it.

Part of the fascination of urban tourism, is to explore the urban jungle yourself without someone telling you about it. This of course is dangerous, and only to be tried at home.

I know some facts about my city that I would never tell a tourist or an indifferent, just curious, local.

ECOCLUB, International Ecotourism Club, http://www.ecoclub.com

Posted
27-Aug-2004 07:09
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

11

FYI -

We have scheduled a real-time chat before the Urban Ecotourism Conference begins via the ECOCLUB website September 7th, 15:00 UTC

TIP -- Check it out beforehand!
>> http://ecoclub.com/chat

- Ron Mader

Posted
05-Sep-2004 15:55
by: mime

Posts: 66
Registered: 17/12/02

12

are trailer parks sustainable?

real eyes realize real lies

Posted
12-Oct-2004 03:35
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

13

Our online conference has concluded. Those interested in greening cities, heritage tours, recycling, biodiversity conservation and urban ecotourism are invited to consult our revised conference page with links to more than 50 websites around the world.
Texthttp://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/tour/urban.html

We learned that the United Nations will focus on "Greening Cities" in 2005, particularly during the World Environment Day on June 5th.

Thank you all for excellent feedfeedback!

Ron Mader
Planeta.com

Posted
02-Jan-2005 11:56
by: planeta

Posts: 143
Registered: 28/02/01

14

For those interested, you will find conference updates online
http://forum.planeta.com/viewtopic.php?t=289

Also, for a limited time, Business Mexico has published a summary of the event that appeared in their magazine

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