Changing Architectural Styles, and the Production of Place in Itacar, Bahia, Brazil - Article Example

Article summary of understanding Travel and Tourism Author’s name Institutional affiliation The purpose of the research found in the article ‘Changing architectural styles, and the production of place in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil’ Palmer Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change Vol 12, was to investigate how architectural measures play a key role to create a peaceful coexistence between the local people of Iticare and outsiders. Tourism is one of the economic activities which, if well utilized can earn a country high revenues. Iticare is one of these tourists’ destinations in Brazil attracts many people from across nations. Tourism not only affects the economic dimension of life but also social, environmental and cultural. As indicated in the article, tourism industry in Iticare has been gradually increasing. This is defiantly an expectation especially in this fast-paced world as far as globalization is concerned. The village, originally known for fishing is facing controversies between the local people and tourists. The former are striving for urbanization to increase their economic status while tourists wish for status quo. The research utilized various research methods, which proved viable. The research encompassed various respondents ranging from architectures, masons and homeowners. The one-year period fieldwork research utilized in-depth interviews as one of the research methods. These basically, fall under qualitative research methods. Their characteristics include a smaller number of respondents and apply mostly where there is inadequate information about the target population and area. In the research article, five architectures participated in the interviews. Since most of them have been in the community for quite a while, their provision of information regarding the history and development of architecture and tourism in Iticare came in handy. Informal interviews are another research methods utilized. They encompass casual drilling of information from people such as employee and employer or masons and proprietors as implied in the article. These provided information about the difference between architecture directed residential places and the directed ones. The researchers utilized photography as tool in capturing buildings and other attractions. This is a nice tool as it offers space for comparison between various items of interest in a research. There are many reasons as to why people are attracted to Iticare. These range from eye-catching beaches, perfect temperatures of the tropic areas and afro-Brazilian customs and traditions. Over time, more destination images developed include beautiful houses, hotels with accommodation and morning servings and the friendly environment. PRODETUR, a project instilled by the Government has tourism development as one of the key objectives. It thus played a key role in contributing funds utilized in expansion of a road responsible for high urban growth in Iticare. The evidence for urbanization includes agencies for guiding tourists and high growth in Restaurants. Development of tourism in Iticare had a great impact on tourism in not only Iticare but also in Bahia at large. The springing of more shops, hotels, restaurants and tourism agencies with quality services has led to increased income among the local people and Bahia’s economy at large. More outsiders sought to settle in the area too in search for greener pastures as far as source of income is concerned. Increased opportunities led to an increased productive population, which corresponds to high economic growth. Proper cultural segmentation and unity is solution in ensuring that the different racial groups live peacefully and ensure universal efforts towards development. Differences in race or cultural background have been the sole reason for major conflicts worldwide. Each community or race feels entitled to leadership in development or even victory over the other. Access to resources has been unequal due to these factors. As indicted in the article, due to tourism sprawl, most people moved from Southern East and other parts of the world to invest in the area and others seek for employment. This is factual that people with inhabit the area have differ in culture and racial affiliation. These regional identities have brought conflicts in Itacare. Some people outside realized an opportunity and linked up with Non-Governmental organizations to conserve the natural environment and aesthetic beauty of the destination. Each group of people uses terminologies and vocabularies to link them up with the famous tourists’ destination. The locals hold on to their knowledge of their original culture and historical developments. One of the in-depth interview respondents, who is a foreigner settled in the land identifies the different ways in which the natives view their land as opposed to those who come to settle. His remarks imply that one can only notice the wealth their land carries when they have lived in a different land, which lacks all that. Most of the historic houses in Itacare reflect to conceptualization of urbanization since they have a touch of Portuguese designs. Most of the designs of the townhouses had a wedding cake appearance. They had platibandas, which was a mark for European designs or rather, origin. All residents, both domestic and foreign, value the historic houses. However, the increasing development in tourism results to renewal of most houses though most traditional touch preservation is on the inside. Rustic Chic houses construction mainly entails use of local materials like wood and thatch. They embrace the simplicity associated with rural areas by ensuring the floor is rough and are equally identical to other tourists’ houses worldwide. Their passionate nature is attractive enough to keep tourists flowing into the destination. Their location to nature also places them at higher competitive level. This has increased tourism income in Iticare hence economic development. Regional modern houses have a storey touch as their distinctive feature. They are an evidence of urban development and acceptance by the local people. They represent transition from low social class to the middle one. Thus, they act as a confirmation that tourism development in Itacare has influenced positively on social and economic development on not only the residents but also the region at large. In conclusion, social differences can lead to conflicts and marginalization of some races in a society embracing globalization. Tourism architecture is an essential factor in tourism advancement. Therefore, there can be a balance in restoring traditional houses for rural esthetic touch and urban development for the locals. Bibliography Palmer, C.T., 2014. Tourism, changing architectural styles, and the production of place in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 12(4), pp.349-363. Read More