Jinyue Zhang

After several days of field research, I was deeply shocked by the natural scenery of the island, but at the same time, I also learned that the site is deeply affected by tourism pressure, and I am planning to go to the route of ecotourism, hoping to achieve the goal of sustainable development. From a series of research results, I found that they have an intersection point is the road/trails, so I became interested in the routes on the island.

In order to promote a more a sustainable touristic approach to alleviate the current pressure, I have analysed the Faial island's topography, land use, network, and opportunities separately and then I concluded the scope of natural resources and human intervention on the map, and found the conflicting areas between the two. Those areas subjected to higher touristic pressure.

A site is called education experience. It covers the botanical garden, but there is a lack of points to attract tourists to stop by and a lot of open space is wasted. To address this, taking advantage of educational attributes of the garden itself, a tree planting nursery that offers native plants has been established directly across from the botanical garden, Additionally, a sunny lawn for relax has been created on the western side of the site, along with souvenir shops, Path surfaces should be durable to withstand heavy traffic, so I choose wooden timber here. To align with the ecotourism theme, recycled or locally sourced materials being used wherever possible. The tourists and local community, both can have fun here and get knowledge of native species.

The natural experience is on the B. This site was previously an abandoned natural park, and the park's terrain was uneven. Additionally, the three existing buildings were seldom utilized. To Unleash its potential, the site has been repurposed into a camping area, with facilities for resting and entertainment. The existing buildings have been transformed into public restrooms and convenience stores, this enables visitors to spend the night in a natural environment while enjoying the convenience of on-site amenities, I also consider the car drivers, so here is a parking lot at the entrance. Furthermore, the open space on the southern side of the site has been converted into a growth forest, further enhancing its ecological value. The tree saplings could be got from the nursery.

C site has "levada”, which is a very representative feature of Azores, but the site has no obvious road and is located in a dense Japanese ceder/sugi forest (Cryptomeria is a very large evergreen tree), Many records indicate that this place is a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts Therefore, building simple paths and viewing platforms, using dead tree trunks and newly built columns to add a touch of adventure experience to the site. For the main trail is made from recycled rubber for the cyclists, and I choose to use the “bagacina” for the path surfaces (it is a kind of volcanic gravel could be widely used and easily got on the island sustainable and maintenance), Considering information signage, gabion bench and light is a must need to visitors.

The western side of the last site has a lighthouse and a museum (but they are not within the scope of my design). To provide visitors with a more immersive and dynamic experience, the indoor tour is augmented by the simulation of natural forests and animals through the wider outdoor environment. A viewing and exhibition platform has been developed to allow visitors to enjoy the vivid view, letting them imagine how the volcanoes erupt and how local flora and fauna survive in nature. This not only enhances the overall appeal of the site, but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region. The tourists can easily obtain sea views from that platform.