The Sustainability of Planning Tourism for Cuban Beach Ecosystems

Lourdes Ruiz Gutierrez

sustainability, planning, tourism, beaches.

This article addresses elements related to sustainability in tourism-related planning and proposals for how to manage the negative environmental impact in beach ecosystems, which have been caused by certain construction approaches and techniques. For the purposes of this study, said negative impact is defined as the direct or indirect adverse consequences suffered by natural and socioeconomic ecosystems as a result of an environmental change caused by an action or set of actions of human or man-made origin. We will analyze the case studies of interventions in coastal ecosystems with high levels of ecological fragility, such as the beaches of the small islands or keys of Cuba. Strategic lines of action with a focus on sustainability are proposed in order to ensure respectful architectural interventions in these highly environmentally and socio-culturally vulnerable ecosystems of this island region.