Protected lands Protected lands Protected land: Hong KongProtected land: Hong Kong Nature reserves in ChinaNature reserves in China Carrying CapacityCarrying Capacity

Topic 10: Protected Topic 10: Protected LandsLands

PROTECTED AREA: LandPROTECTED AREA: Land

The term The term protected areaprotected area describes a describes a wide array of land and water wide array of land and water designations, of which some of the best designations, of which some of the best known are national park, nature reserve, known are national park, nature reserve, wilderness area, wildlife management wilderness area, wildlife management area and landscape protected area. This area and landscape protected area. This approaches can also describe as approaches can also describe as community conservedcommunity conserved areas areas

Protected landProtected landintroductionintroduction

Principles of policy and planning for Principles of policy and planning for protected landsprotected lands

Components of the regulatory system for Components of the regulatory system for protected landsprotected lands

Historical development of NZ protected areasHistorical development of NZ protected areas Contemporary (Trend) directions and Contemporary (Trend) directions and

planning frameworksplanning frameworks Challenges of policy developmentChallenges of policy development

Three key features of tourism management Three key features of tourism management in protected areas:in protected areas: LegislationLegislation —— foundation which is sound ( foundation which is sound (

) and binding ( ) ) and binding ( ) Management (Planning)Management (Planning) — addresses — addresses

potentialpotential, , actualactual and and cumulativecumulative visitor visitor impactsimpacts

Action Action — activities and management — activities and management responses to issuesresponses to issues

Linkages between these three key features Linkages between these three key features are importantare important

Principles of planning Principles of planning and and policy for protected areaspolicy for protected areas

Components of the Components of the regulatory systemregulatory system

Land use planningLand use planning

Land use planning encompasses the Land use planning encompasses the following disciplines:following disciplines:

ArchitectureArchitecture GeographyGeography Environmental planningEnvironmental planning Landscape architectureLandscape architecture Regional PlanningRegional Planning Spatial planningSpatial planning

Land use planningLand use planning

Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development Transportation PlanningTransportation Planning Urban design Urban design Urban planning Urban planning Urban Renaissance Urban Renaissance Urban renewal Urban renewal

National Parks Act 1952, 1980National Parks Act 1952, 1980 Dept of Conservation administers:Dept of Conservation administers:

14 national parks (2 million) 14 national parks (2 million) 5 million ha of other protected lands including ‘stewardship 5 million ha of other protected lands including ‘stewardship

areas’ and reserves for various purposesareas’ and reserves for various purposes World Heritage SitesWorld Heritage Sites High country pastoral leasesHigh country pastoral leases

Tourism in protected areas has long history in NZTourism in protected areas has long history in NZ Utilitarian conservation 1870s Utilitarian conservation 1870s –– 1940s 1940s Creation of national parks system 1950s – 1960sCreation of national parks system 1950s – 1960s Wilderness preservation 1970s – 1980sWilderness preservation 1970s – 1980s New economic conservation 1987 – presentNew economic conservation 1987 – present

Historical development of Historical development of protected lands in New protected lands in New ZealandZealand

Hierarchy of management Hierarchy of management instrumentsinstruments

LegislationLegislation Robust legal frameworkRobust legal framework Biocentric (natural) vs. anthropocentric Biocentric (natural) vs. anthropocentric

(recreational ) values (recreational ) values PoliciesPolicies

Provide guidanceProvide guidance

Components of the Components of the regulatory systemregulatory system

Components of the Components of the regulatory systemregulatory system

Management strategies and plansManagement strategies and plans Models include Models include Visitor Experience and Visitor Experience and

Resource Protection FrameworkResource Protection Framework ( (VERP; VERP; USDA1997USDA1997), ), Recreational Opportunity Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS)Spectrum (ROS) , LAC , LAC

Management actionsManagement actions Site/visitor managementSite/visitor management Direct/indirect managementDirect/indirect management

DofC takes responsibility for tourism in 3 ways:DofC takes responsibility for tourism in 3 ways: Provision of government funded infrastructureProvision of government funded infrastructure Visitor information and servicesVisitor information and services Concession system for managing private sector tourism activities in Concession system for managing private sector tourism activities in

protected landsprotected lands

Dept of Conservation policies and strategies include:Dept of Conservation policies and strategies include: General Policy for National ParksGeneral Policy for National Parks Conservation General PolicyConservation General Policy Visitor Strategy 1996Visitor Strategy 1996

National tourism strategy 2010 recognises DofC role National tourism strategy 2010 recognises DofC role in tourismin tourism

Contemporary directions Contemporary directions and planning frameworksand planning frameworks

Challenges of policy Challenges of policy development for protected development for protected landslands Commercial development of nature — Commercial development of nature —

ecotourismecotourism Qualmark systemQualmark system

Green Globe 21Green Globe 21 government-private sector partnership government-private sector partnership

certifies high quality visitor experiencescertifies high quality visitor experiences Star grading of accommodationStar grading of accommodation Debate over effectiveness of environmental Debate over effectiveness of environmental

certification programscertification programs

Land Use in HONG KONGLand Use in HONG KONG

Urban Urban residential-industrial or residential-residential-industrial or residential-

transport land use conflicts transport land use conflicts Suburban Suburban Rural Rural

Land Use in HONG KONGLand Use in HONG KONG

Possible methods to ease, avoid or Possible methods to ease, avoid or eradicate land use conflicts. eradicate land use conflicts. RedevelopingRedeveloping old urban areas by planning old urban areas by planning

the land uses carefully so that land is used the land uses carefully so that land is used in a better way than before. This will improve in a better way than before. This will improve thet quality of the environment of that area. thet quality of the environment of that area. For example, in Hong Kong is redeveloped For example, in Hong Kong is redeveloped by the Urban Renewal Authority.by the Urban Renewal Authority.

Land Use in HONG KONGLand Use in HONG KONG

RestrictionRestriction of land use of land use Sometimes, unauthorised changes in the Sometimes, unauthorised changes in the

land use of a particular area would be land use of a particular area would be outlawed. In other words, the land use of a outlawed. In other words, the land use of a particular area must remain the one set by particular area must remain the one set by the government. Again using Hong Kong as the government. Again using Hong Kong as an example, flats may not be used for an example, flats may not be used for commercial, industrial or other purposes. commercial, industrial or other purposes.

Land Use in HONG KONGLand Use in HONG KONG

Development of New townsDevelopment of New towns

New towns are towns in which the urban planning is New towns are towns in which the urban planning is better than that of old urban areas.better than that of old urban areas.

In these towns, all factories are grouped into a In these towns, all factories are grouped into a certain place which is away from the residential certain place which is away from the residential blocks, often with green belts, so the pollution has a blocks, often with green belts, so the pollution has a smaller chance of affecting the residents. smaller chance of affecting the residents. Consequently, people would have both a good living Consequently, people would have both a good living environment and an ideal working environment. environment and an ideal working environment. Again using Hong Kong as an example, only 1% of Again using Hong Kong as an example, only 1% of the land use in Sha Tin is mixed.the land use in Sha Tin is mixed.

Land Use in HONG KONGLand Use in HONG KONG

Land Reclamation helps solve helps solve land use conflicts indirectly by land use conflicts indirectly by easing the demand for land and easing the demand for land and lowering the land pricelowering the land price

SummarySummary

Institutional arrangements determine how Institutional arrangements determine how tourism in protected lands is managedtourism in protected lands is managed

Three key dimension are necessary for Three key dimension are necessary for management:management: Sound and binding legislative framework is Sound and binding legislative framework is

essentialessential A planning and management system with clear A planning and management system with clear

goals and objectivesgoals and objectives Actions that are directed towards achieving the Actions that are directed towards achieving the

above goalsabove goals

Conservation in Hong Conservation in Hong KongKong

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) manages the parks and is Department (AFCD) manages the parks and is responsible for tree planting, litter collection, responsible for tree planting, litter collection, fire fighting, development control and provision fire fighting, development control and provision of recreation and education facilities. of recreation and education facilities.

About 12 million visitors were recorded in 2004 About 12 million visitors were recorded in 2004 and most visitors engaged in leisure walking, and most visitors engaged in leisure walking, fitness exercises, hiking, barbecuing, family fitness exercises, hiking, barbecuing, family picnics and camping. picnics and camping.

Conservation in Hong Conservation in Hong KongKong

The parks include The parks include Tai Mo Shan, Pat Sin Leng mountain range, Ma On Shan, Sai Kung Peninsula,

Nature Reserves in ChinaNature Reserves in China The development of nature reserves in China The development of nature reserves in China

started from 1956 when the first nature reserve, started from 1956 when the first nature reserve, Dinghushan Nature Reserve in Guangdong was Dinghushan Nature Reserve in Guangdong was set up. Nature reserves are under the set up. Nature reserves are under the administrations of different governmental administrations of different governmental agencies, including the bureaus of forestry, agencies, including the bureaus of forestry, agriculture, fishery, and environmental agriculture, fishery, and environmental protection.protection.

Nature reserves are also divided into three Nature reserves are also divided into three levels: national, provincial, and county level. levels: national, provincial, and county level.

Nature Reserves in ChinaNature Reserves in China In 1978, there were only 34 nature reserves in China, In 1978, there were only 34 nature reserves in China,

accounting for 0.13% of the country’s area.accounting for 0.13% of the country’s area. In 2001, the number nature reserves in China increased In 2001, the number nature reserves in China increased

to 1551, with a total area of 145 million hectares, 14.4% to 1551, with a total area of 145 million hectares, 14.4% of the country’s area. Among them, 171 were national of the country’s area. Among them, 171 were national level nature reserves.level nature reserves.

According to the nation’s master plan for nature According to the nation’s master plan for nature reserves, by 2010, the number of nature reserves in reserves, by 2010, the number of nature reserves in China will reach 1800, with a total area of 155 million China will reach 1800, with a total area of 155 million hectare, 16.14% of the country’s area. The number of hectare, 16.14% of the country’s area. The number of national level nature reserves will increase to 220. national level nature reserves will increase to 220.

Nature Reserves in ChinaNature Reserves in China Spatially, nature reserves are divided into core, Spatially, nature reserves are divided into core,

buffer, and experimental zones. buffer, and experimental zones. People are allowed to enter the core zones solely for People are allowed to enter the core zones solely for

scientific research and with approval of relevant scientific research and with approval of relevant authorities. Buffer zones can only be used for authorities. Buffer zones can only be used for scientific research activities. Tourism activities are scientific research activities. Tourism activities are allowed in experimental zone in a controlled allowed in experimental zone in a controlled manner.manner.

Developing tourism in nature reserves can help Developing tourism in nature reserves can help raise fund for protection of the nature reserves; raise fund for protection of the nature reserves; however, uncontrolled tourism can also damage however, uncontrolled tourism can also damage nature reserves.nature reserves.

Function Zones of A Function Zones of A Nature ReserveNature Reserve

Carrying capacityCarrying capacity

What is carrying capacity?What is carrying capacity? How to measure carry capacityHow to measure carry capacity Capacity standardsCapacity standards

DefinitionDefinition

Carrying capacity is the maximum Carrying capacity is the maximum number of people who can use a site number of people who can use a site without an unacceptable adverse impact without an unacceptable adverse impact on the visitor experience as well as the on the visitor experience as well as the environment, society, economy, and environment, society, economy, and culture of the tourism area.culture of the tourism area.

It establishes upper limits on It establishes upper limits on development development

Criteria to determine Criteria to determine optimum capacity levelsoptimum capacity levels

Indigenous physical and socioeconomic Indigenous physical and socioeconomic environmentenvironment

Tourism image and tourist productTourism image and tourist product

Criteria on indigenous Criteria on indigenous environmentenvironment

PhysicalPhysical Visual impact and congestionVisual impact and congestion Ecological system maintenance pointEcological system maintenance point Wildlife and natural vegetation conservationWildlife and natural vegetation conservation Acceptable level of air, water and noise pollutionAcceptable level of air, water and noise pollution

EconomicEconomic Optimum overall economic benefitsOptimum overall economic benefits Tourism employment levelTourism employment level

Criteria on indigenous Criteria on indigenous environmentenvironment

SocioculturalSociocultural Not detrimental to sociocultural life styles and community Not detrimental to sociocultural life styles and community

activitiesactivities Help maintain cultural monuments, arts, crafts, belief Help maintain cultural monuments, arts, crafts, belief

systems, customs, and traditionssystems, customs, and traditions

InfrastructureInfrastructure transportation facilities and servicestransportation facilities and services Water supply, electric power, sewage, solid waster Water supply, electric power, sewage, solid waster

disposal, telecommunicationdisposal, telecommunication Other community services such as health and public Other community services such as health and public

safetysafety

Criteria on tourism image Criteria on tourism image and visit satisfactionand visit satisfaction

PhysicalPhysical Overall cleanliness and lack of pollutionOverall cleanliness and lack of pollution Lack of undue congestionLack of undue congestion Attractiveness of landscape or townscapeAttractiveness of landscape or townscape Maintenance of ecological system: flora and Maintenance of ecological system: flora and

faunafauna

EconomicEconomic Cost of holidayCost of holiday Value for moneyValue for money

Criteria on tourism image Criteria on tourism image and visit satisfactionand visit satisfaction

SocioculturalSociocultural Intrinsic interest of the indigenous community Intrinsic interest of the indigenous community

and cultureand culture Quality of local arts, handicrafts, cuisine, and Quality of local arts, handicrafts, cuisine, and

cultural performancecultural performance Friendliness of residentsFriendliness of residents

InfrastructureInfrastructure Acceptable standards of transportation facilities Acceptable standards of transportation facilities

and servicesand services Acceptable standards of utility servicesAcceptable standards of utility services

Other factors to considerOther factors to consider

SeasonalitySeasonality Tolerance levels of crowding and Tolerance levels of crowding and

congestion of different marketscongestion of different markets

Capacity standardsCapacity standards

WTO (1983) standards in Inskeep (1991) WTO (1983) standards in Inskeep (1991) (Unit: visitors per day per hectare)(Unit: visitors per day per hectare) Forest park: up to 15Forest park: up to 15 Suburban nature park: 15-70Suburban nature park: 15-70 High-density picnicking: 300-600High-density picnicking: 300-600 Low-density picnicking: 60-200Low-density picnicking: 60-200 Sports/team games: 100-200Sports/team games: 100-200 Golf: 10-15Golf: 10-15