FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS
ARC 1429 – Planning 1
Coastal tourism brought by these beach resort developments has grown significantly
bringing enormous economic benefits to host communities and causing many environmental
and social impacts to the coastal environment. Hence, in this paper, we would define beach
resort development at the same time talk through the factors needed to be considered in
planning and designing this type of development.
Beach resort development is a human-induced change of the landscape near the
coastline. This type of development is mainly used for recreational activities of people and is
a popular destination for vacations. Therefore, factors must be carefully planned for this
development to be beneficial for both the people nature, and the sea. The factors that need to
consider are as stated below:
1. ZONING
Zoning is used to separate human/tourism uses. We should delineate first the
core zones that can tolerate only a minimum of human use since the beach's existing
zoning system would be affected by this beach resort development. Also, this is the
first thing needed to be considered because the existing zoning, urban settlement, and
habitats of animals and nature are vulnerable to disturbances and need more
conservation value. With this, we could achieve sustainable development that would
ensure minimal harm to the environment.
2. FLOOD ZONES
Safety zones against tsunamis or typhoons should be considered in planning a
coastal development.
3. WEATHER
If structures are to be built around the coastal area, we need to consider the place
and its existing weather as well as seasons for architects and designers to choose what
type of material is best for this type of structural development near the coast like hotels
and restaurants.
4. MATERIAL SELECTION
We must consider the corrosion of sea salt with the coastal structures/properties,
which would influence the selection of material needed to construct the plan.
5. WIND PROTECTION
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS
ARC 1429 – Planning 1
This is on the construction site, but I think this is one of the factors needed for
the structures to withstand the force of the wind in the coastal area. Hence, architects
should design the structures too that could withstand the wind in the said development
plan.
SITE PLANNING CHARACTERISTICS
Site planning for beach resort development includes the size of the site and its
orientation whether its way is in north, south, east, or west. Here, it also involves the existing
vegetation within the site and outside property lines. This way, architects would know the best
spot to put structures, landscape areas, and other areas like restaurants too.
The third characteristic would be the view wherein this would have a vital role on the
external façade of the structures as well as the design of the landscape for the beach resort. The
fourth one would be accessibility. How tourists could easily access away into the resort. Last
is the zoning which I think is the most difficult part of site planning as this would shape the
overall outcome of the development.
LANDCSAPING IDEAS
For the landscaping ideas, I think we could use spatial
organization in architecture for this type of development as
this bring out a cohesive design for the site. For the landscape
and development plan, we could use centralized organization
where there would be the main feature (structure or landscape)
on the center of the resort making it a tourist destination while
the secondary features are on its surrounding. We could also
use the idea for grid organization where structures or
landscapes would be uniform, making the circulation of
people in the resort easily but formal. Third, we could use the
idea of the cluster, where structures are closed together while
the remaining spaces in the lot would be an open space for
landscaping ideas.
Moreover, we could also use the 2 parts of landscaping which are the Hardscape and
Softscape for the development of the beach. The Hardscape consists of non-living elements
such as walkways, pavements. Hence, these hardscape ideas could be used for the entrance of
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS
ARC 1429 – Planning 1
the beach and roads/ sidewalks inside the beach. While softscape consists of living elements
such as trees, grass, flowers, etc. Hence, this could be used for the beautification of the beach
resort as well as improve the thermal ventilation of the surroundings of the beach especially
during summer where heat is most felt by the people.
REFERENCES
 4 key considerations with Coastal Construction. Solutions Built. (2020, May 7). Retrieved
January 28, 2022, from https://solutionsbuilt.com.au/4-key-considerations-with-coastalconstruction/
 Pawlukiewicz, M., Gupta, P. K., & Koelbel, C. (n.d.). Ten principles for coastal
development - urban land institute. Ten Principles for Coastal Development. Retrieved
January 28, 2022, from https://uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Ten-Principlesfor-Coastal-Development.pdf
 Sevilla, N. P. M., & Ruiz, A. C. (2019). Coastal Development: Construction of a Public
Policy for the Shores and Seas of Mexico. Coastal Development - an overview |
ScienceDirect Topics. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/coastal-development
 Spatial organization in Architecture. Your Own Architect. (2020, June 29). Retrieved
January 28, 2022, from https://www.yourownarchitect.com/spatial-organization-inarchitecture/
 Thompson, C. (2020, November 7). 5 things to consider when building a beach house.
Custom Home Design - Home Designer - Draftsman. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from
https://2x4designs.com/blogref/2018/9/6/things-to-consider-when-building-a-beach-house