Relevant Policy and Planning Context for Adelaide and Its Surrounding Suburbs - Case Study Example

Major Project Name Professor Institution Course Date 1.0 Introduction The sustainability is not an old concept in the field of management but it has since gained momentum in many sectors of the economy in the 21st century (Smith & Sharicz 2011, p.74). Cities are increasing embracing sustainability concept in their tourism departments. Adelaide is one of such cities which have greatly embraced sustainability in its tourism sector operations making one popular sustainable city among the tourists. Today, the city council offers residents and businesses incentives to implement sustainability such as reduction of carbon emissions, conservation energy, natural resources and water (Adelaide City Council 2016). Jones, Hillier & Comfort (2014, p.5) claimed that the sustainability initiative have created a good reputation about the city, enhanced good relationship between a business and the societal stakeholders and increasing competitive advantage of Adelaide’s tourism hence attracting several international and local tourists in the recent years. In addition to this strategy, this report will describe and analyze sustainability assets in Adelaide which can be applied in developing a sustainable tourism campaign or strategy for this city and its surrounding neighborhoods such as Adelaide Convention Centre, the Adelaide Parklands and Christie Walk among others. Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 2 Table of Contents 3 2.0 Background of Adelaide 4 3.0 Relevant policy and planning context for Adelaide and its surrounding suburbs 5 4.0 Literature Review addressing the concepts of sustainability, sustainable tourism and planning for sustainable cities 8 5.0 Identification of sustainability assets 10 6.0 SWOT analysis 11 7.0 Discussion and recommendations arising from this analysis 12 .0 Conclusion 13 9.0 References 14 2.0 Background of Adelaide Adelaide is developed city which has become a vital tourism destination in Australia in the recent times. The availability of historical, natural and sites, and creative publicity has promoted the image of the city as a thrilling tourist destination. Gibbs (2013, p.23) pointed out that on geographically perspective, Adelaide City is in the north of Fleurieu Peninsula, within Adelaide Plains and it’s between Mount Lofty Ranges and Gulf St Vincent. Adelaide stretches around 25 kilometers from coast at Gawler to Sellicks Beach. Adelaide is within South Australia State. The history of this city claimed that most parts of Adelaide used to be bushland prior to the British settlement with swamps, marshlands and sandhills near the coast (Gibbs 2013, p.51). However, when Colonel William Light was posted to South Australia as Surveyor-General he was tasked with choosing State’s capital. Henderson (2006, p.73) pointed out that in his plan known as ‘Light's Vision’ William Light chose and designed Adelaide as the colony’s capital. Therefore, Adelaide is regarded as a well planned city within a grid with ring of series parks called Adelaide Parklands. The Parklands offers clean and fresh airs throughout Adelaide making the city different from European cities which are always have polluted air. Other major natural and physical features found in Adelaide today comprise of rivers, waterfalls, national parks, Lake Torrens and Lake Eyre and sports’ stadiums (Gibbs 2013, p.45). 3.0 Relevant policy and planning context for Adelaide and its surrounding suburbs Policy and planning are very important approaches of the city in attracting, regulating and managing tourism sector. However, since Adelaide has become a city which attracts people from international, across the state, nationally and locally, its sustainable tourism policy and planning conform to these levels. The sustainability concept has become a significant aspect for planning and development particularly in the tourism sector (Hall 2008, p.262). Cities which want to attract more international visitors now use sustainability as one of its core agenda. Sustainability has hit the headline at the international arena due to the widely discussed ‘Sustainable tourism initiatives of WTTC’. The initiative describes what the government policy should contain in endeavor to sustainable development. According to Hall (2008, p.48), WTTC policies hold that the efficient policy reactions are one which emphasizes on the key government undertakings like coordination of infrastructure development and promoting competitiveness, as opposed to concentrating on the short-term micro-intervention or protectionism in the market mechanisms. It is this WTTC initiative that led to development of Adelaide to a sustainable city to compete with others such as New York and Freiburg (Johnson 2012, p.53). The development of Adelaide started in 1836 with ‘Light's Vision’ which designed infrastructure such as road, housing and parks. This infrastructural plan comprised of two major grid-iron models of streets and Park Lands creating the “green girdle”. Robinson and Liu (2015, p.513) pointed that the government has since taken over 1.53km of the 9.31 km Park Lands for building cultural institutions. The remaining land (7.6 km) is used for sports grounds, botanic gardens, schools’ fields and public parks. Infrastructure plan is form of land-usage planning which is used for environmental protection. This form of practice highlights Adelaide authority’s commitment to achieving environmental sustainability. This form of sustainability is important because it ensures efficient flow of air water, conservation of the environment (Sloan, Legrand & Chen 2009, p. 57). Without a proper structural planning, the city may not have an effective drainage system hence poor sewerage flow. Tourism also has its effects on cities and such impact is congestion. Researches show that city with poor planning are likely to experience congestion exposing the urban center to environmental risks and resource shortages (Hall 2008, p.55). When a tourism site is populated, there is high use of water, energy and high waste products. Sustainability therefore reduces such cases through planning. Due to proper planning, Adelaide has been able to control capacity of tourists coming to city. Sloan, Legrand and Chen (2009, p. 76) asserted sustainability is also important in marketing especially improving the brand image. The arrangement of physical structures such as roads, building, Park Land, schools, botanic gardens and public parks has been attracted tourists across the globe. For instance, Adelaide continues to attract people due to its conservation of culture the can be seen in residential homes, museums and architectural structures (Lam & Mullen 2012, p. 238). The planning of the city tried to separate where individuals live, shop, work, school and engage in the leisure time pursuit. People have become aware of WTTC policies and now want to associate with cities which implement such initiatives. This is the reason why Adelaide has continued to operate within the WTTC model. Adelaide also implements sustainability, which attempts to conform, to the country’s objectives. Tourism 2020 is a national tourism planning policy which also impacts Adelaide intention to remain a sustainable city. Tourism 2020 is strategy created by the tourism departmental of Australia to enable the sector maximize the economic potential (Tourism Australia 2011). Tourism 2020 has 6 strategic areas of focus including increasing the Asian demand, building the competitive digital capacity, encouraging the investment, regulatory and control reform agenda and making sure that tourism transport systems encourage growth among others (Tourism Australia 2011). Adelaide is implementing various policies ensure that if the country increases demand in Asia, the city also benefits in terms of number of tourists coming in. The city has products and services which can be used to attract tourists from China, Singapore and other Asian countries. For instance, Robinson and Liu (2015, p.520) Adelaide can use its architectural design of its building, Park lands, botanical gardens, sustainable energy, green building and other sustainable assets to market the city. The city planning has also ensured that the state government can always increase its capacity to cope with more tourists. Adelaide has also adopted technology to conform to Tourism 2020’s digital capability need. Tourism Australia (2011) claimed that having digital capability enables a city to improve its marketing and product or service distribution approaches. Another strategic area which is of importance if Tourism 2020 is to be achieved is transport system. Adelaide has invested in sustainable transport to enable the achievement of this dream. The state government of South Australian started an exceptional investment in public transport in Adelaide worth $2.6 billion to enhance the transportation network of the city into a state-of-the-art and a vibrant system offering greener, faster and efficient services for bus, train and tram and commuters (Lam & Mullen 2012, p.237). The authority also invested in walking and cycling paths as part of sustainable transportation alternatives. Adelaide haves also implemented sustainability plans to adhere to the state level objectives. South Australia Tourism plan 2020 has provided as roadmap for attaining sustainable tourism in future. The plan has identified five areas which Adelaide must capitalize to realize its sustainable objectives. South Australia Tourism plan 2020 identifies these areas as driving demand, partnerships and value provision (South Australian Tourism Commission 2016). 4.0 Literature Review addressing the concepts of sustainability, sustainable tourism and planning for sustainable cities Today, literatures have identified numerous definitions of sustainability. However, the most accepted definition is one from a sustainable development perspective. Jones, Hillier and Comfort (2014, p.6) defined sustainability from the sustainable development point of view, as the growth which fulfils the existing needs but without impeding the ability of the upcoming generation to meet their own needs. On the other hand, Cater, Garrod and Low (2015, p.56) posited sustainable tourism is often used interchangeably with ecotourism, ethical tourism or responsible tourism. Sustainable tourism is described as a tourism which seeks to generate valuable relationships and offer positive experiences to the stakeholders (Lam & Mullen 2012, p.236). In addition, planning for sustainable cities is the aspect of designing a city is a particularly way to attain the sustainability objectives. Such design should include land-use, management of tourist and approaches of environmental conservation. A combination of sustainability and sustainable tourism and planning enable a city to become a sustainable city, an aspect of tourism attraction. Cadden and Lueder (2012) sustainability can be analyzed using triple-bottom line framework. This framework categorized sustainability in three forms including economic social sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability. Economic represents profit, social represents people while environment represents planet. Triple-bottom line hold that managers need to balance between economic objectives and control firm’s impact in the social and environment sphere. In relations to Adelaide, it means that as a city council, residents and business engages in profit seeking endeavors; they must do so while caring for the environment to ensure future generations can also enjoy the same resources. Cadden and Lueder (2012) argued that practice of economic sustainability leans towards a long-term investments as opposed to short-range ventures even if they bring in high. Stable ventures enable the society to have a business which can solve their problems for a long time. However, the proponents of the sustainability claim that even as businesses carry out their daily routines, they must balance making profits and social lives of society (Sloan, Legrand & Chen 2009, p. 62). For instance, they must bridge the gap between the rich and poor by offering employment and pay well. This is called social sustainability. Triple-bottom line holds that if the imbalances is not solves the society might rise up against the businesses (Cadden & Lueder 2012). Furthermore, environmental sustainability argument believes that natural resources such as water, air and fuel are scarce. As such must be managed to enable future generation to also enjoy them. As such, businesses ought to participate in conservation of such resources. Adelaide city has over the years put up plans sustainability and sustainable tourism plans to attain level of a sustainable city. Adelaide council hires locals and include them incentive programs to ensure their social and environmental problems are reduced (Adelaide City Council 2016). However, just like any other business, Adelaide faces competition hence its sustainability may be not 100 percent perfect. The city council needs to have several businesses in the place to increase tax collection. Similarly, the city needs to have several tourists to increase its revenues. As such there is a conflict between making profits and implementation. Some opponents of sustainability would actually support city’s objective of making profits and neglecting (Ramirez 2012, p.69). The critics of sustainability argue that sole responsibility should be maximizing profits for the stakeholders and that engaging in the practices denies revenues to city council. 5.0 Identification of sustainability assets Adelaide has several sustainability assets which can be used to market the city to the international and local tourists. Some of the sustainable assets in Adelaide comprise of Adelaide Zoo, Solar Village, Park Lands, and pedestrian and bike friendly roads among others. Goldsworthy (2011, p. 107) Adelaide Zoo is sustainability asset due to the fact that it is used to conserve both domestic and wild animals. The zoo host animals such as foxes, Jackals, ostriches, gazelles, monkeys, cheetah and tigers among others. Therefore, Adelaide Zoo protects the animals from poachers and prevents them from going into extinction. In this way, it ensures that the future generations have an opportunity to see and identify. Lochiel Park is one the Solar Village that has been set up in Adelaide. This innovative solar village was constructed in 2006 and hosts up to 106 homes (Edwards & Pocock B 2011). The solar village is a case of the low-carbon design which uses water efficiently. This village is set within an amusing park a few miles from Adelaide City center. All homes have solar panels installed on top of their roofs, thus reducing over reliance on the non renewable energy (Robinson & Liu 2015, p.523). As stated earlier, Adelaide has also developed walking and cycling paths which facilitate transport in the city. This plan is part of sustainable strategy for the city to reduce pollution. The plan titled “moving Adelaide was formulated in 2012 and runs up to 2022 in an attempt to achieve cyclist and pedestrian friendly city. 6.0 SWOT analysis Strengths Adelaide provides incentive to businesses and residents to reduce environmental effects. Adelaide has a well developed infrastructural planning. The city has a sustainable transport system including greener roads, rail and, cycling and walking paths. Adelaide has sustainable assets such as Adelaide Zoo, Solar Village, botanical garden and Park Lands among others. The city majorly uses renewable energy. Weaknesses The city is unable to deal with increasing population. Adelaide authorities cannot restrict high number of cars that pollutes the city. Industrial pollution cannot be completely eliminated. Opportunities Renewable energy. Partnership with sustainable city in Europe and Americas such as Freiburg, New York and California. Technology for marketing and branding. Threats Increasing climate change globally. Urban sprawl in Adelaide which undermines sustainable objectives. Competitive behavior may see many people prefer other destinations hence undermining the objectives of sustainable tourism in Adelaide. 7.0 Discussion and recommendations arising from this analysis Tourism is one of the growing sectors, not just in Adelaide but in Australia in general South (Australian Tourism Commission 2016). Tourism contributes up to 5% of the GDP and employs several people. However, without proper planning, the city may not have achieved its current status. Nevertheless, the research shows that Adelaide was established on a good foundation starting with land-usage design and planning. The situation ensured that infrastructures such as transport systems, residential and social facilities are well planned. Therefore when the authorities realized the city has potential for being a tourism destination, they did not need much because the “Light Plan” had taken care of that. Studies also show that Adelaide City will be impacted by international, national and state policies on tourism such as Sustainable tourism initiatives of WTTC, Tourism 2020 and South Australian Tourism Plan 2020 and has put up measures to capitalize on such plans to attract more tourists to the city. The national and state policy has identified an increasing demand as a key area to improving tourism sector in Australia (South Australian Tourism Commission 2016). As a trendy factor Adelaide chose sustainability and sustainable tourism as driver of increasing tourism demand in the city. Thus, Adelaide City Council (2016) contended that the city has implemented various sustainability initiatives, including planning its land-use, collaborating with businesses and community member in reducing carbon emission and adopting a green transport among others. As such, this report highlights the importance of having plan or policy for sustainable tourism, creating a financial incentive plan for encouraging environmental conservation, a partnership between the city authorities and residents in reducing impact of environment and harmonizing city policy with that of national and state governments (Lam & Mullen 2012, p.237). However, Adelaide also has a weakness in its sustainable policy. The city is experience an ever increasing population which might cause congestion and slow the sustainability plans. Similarly, the city is yet to fully adopt sustainable energy. As such, this report recommends the following; Reviewing its demographic policy- the city council needs to come up with plans on how to reduce population growth. The city should bar new companies from building industrial plant to reduce urban sprawl. More resources should be committed to adopt renewable energy. .0 Conclusion The report has assessed the sustainability policy in respect to the tourism industry. Especially, the report has concentrated on Adelaide sustainability practices. The research has established that the city had an infrastructural planning as the key driver to sustainability it is enjoying today. The report has also found out that the city council has collaborated with businesses and locals through an incentive plan to reduce pollution. Despite considerable investment in sustainability, the city faces a huge challenge of increasing population which might hamper sustainability. Therefore, the city council must deal with a challenge if the city is to maintain its status as a ‘sustainable city’. 9.0 References Adelaide City Council 2016, Sustainable Adelaide. Viewed 30th October 2016 Cadden, D.T & Lueder, S.L 2012, Small Business Management in the 21st Century, Flat World Knowledge. Cater, C, Garrod, B & Low, T 2015, The Encyclopedia of Sustainable Tourism, CABI, Oxfordshire, UK. Edwards J & Pocock B 2011, Comfort, convenience and cost: The calculus of sustainable living at Lochiel Park, Adelaide: Centre for Work + Life, University of South Australia. Goldsworthy, K 2011, Adelaide, NewSouth Publishing, Sydney. Government of South Australia 2012, Development Plan Adelaide (City), viewed 30th October 2016 Gibbs, R.M 2013, Under the burning sun: a history of colonial South Australia, 1836–1900. Peacock. Hall, C. 2008, Tourism Planning Policies, Processes and Relationships 2nd ed, Pearson Education. Henderson, K 2006, History and myth: the origin of Colonel Light's “Park Grounds” and their universal significance, In: Garnaut C, and Round K, (eds.), The Adelaide Parklands Symposium. A balancing act: past-present-future. Adelaide: Centre for Settlement Studies and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, University of South Australia, 73-89. Johnson, DL 2012, Anticipating municipal parks: London to Adelaide to Garden City, Wakefield Press, Kent Town SA. Jones, P, Hillier, D & Comfort, D 2014 ‘Sustainability in the global hotel industry’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol.26, no.1, pp.5–17. Lam, A.H & Mullen, B.M 2012, ‘Comparative Analysis of Best Practices of Sustainable Communities: Adelaide, Australia Case Study’, Cityscape: a Journal of Policy Development and Research, vol. 14, no.3, pp.235-242. Ramirez, G.A 2012, ‘Sustainable development: paradoxes, misunderstandings and learning Organizations’, The Learning Organization, vol.19, no.1, pp. 58 -76. Robinson, G.M. & Liu, Z 2015, ‘Greening and “un”greening Adelaide, South Australia’, AIMS Environmental Science, vol.2, no.3, pp.511-532. Sloan, P, Legrand, W, & Chen, J. 2009, Sustainability in the hospitality industry (1sted.), Oxford, Elsevier Inc. Smith, P.A.C., & Sharicz, C 2011, ‘The shift needed for sustainability’, The Learning Organization, vol.18, no.1, pp.73-86. South Australian Tourism Commission 2016, Strategic Plans, viewed 30th October 2016, .http://tourism.sa.gov.au/about-satc/strategic-plans.aspx. Tourism Australia 2011, Tourism 2020: Whole of government working with industry to achieve Australia’s tourism potential, viewed 30th October 2016 Read More