Developing Coastal Identities
An Approach to Design Coldwater Resorts
An Approach to Design Coldwater Resorts
This thesisexplores a new and more sensible strategy for (Dutch)coldwater resorts to developand compete on the global tourism market. More and more Dutch and foreigntourists choose for coastal destinations outside the Netherlands to spend theirlong stay coastal vacation. In turn Dutch resorts degraded from popular coastaldestinations to places of daytrip tourism. Driving forces which cause thisdecline are on the one hand the rather unpopular image of the resorts: theirproduct offering is out-dated, and on the other hand the Dutch coastincreasingly has to deal with competition from warmer destinations overseas.Moreover the Dutch destinations are competing with them on the same level: thesand, sun, sea ‘good weather’ product. This is a battle Dutch resorts cannotwin since coldwater resorts in northern Europe and other colder climate zonesexperience short summer periods. An unwise strategy. This makes Dutch resortsvery season dependent and vulnerable.
Climate changethreatens the Low Countries. Sea levels are rising and the future predicts evenmore frequent and heavier storms. The Dutch coastal defences are showingseveral ‘weak spots’ that need strengthening, most of them can be found atcoastal resorts.
Dutch resortshave to reinvent themselves to continue to attract the tourist attention. Inthe context of the global economy it aren’t just businesses that compete forthe same consumers and resources, even whole nations compete for international headquarters,events (the Olympics) and human resources. An attractive coast and seasideresorts could be a motive to consider settling, investing or visiting. So isthe Dutch coast going to continue to compete on price and scale? Or is it goingto compete on totally different level, playing on his own strengths by offeringsomething unique, something that has quality and can’t be found anywhere elsein the world?Action is needed. Climate change offers the opportunity to relyinvest in these places.
This thesis looksinto the use of place identity and narrative as an approach to attract newtourism which better suits the coldwater character. In our postmodern societyand global economy where places seem to look and feel similar, people are moreand more looking for authenticity, for something that feels real and local.Through actor-networks on the regional and local level, entrepreneurs, governmentsand others involved in the tourism product collaborate to present authenticcoastal experiences in which each resort takes up its unique identity. Theseare conveyed by telling narratives through branding and design in which thecoastal defence is an integral part. Petten NH is used as an example toillustrate the ideas discussed.
Climate changethreatens the Low Countries. Sea levels are rising and the future predicts evenmore frequent and heavier storms. The Dutch coastal defences are showingseveral ‘weak spots’ that need strengthening, most of them can be found atcoastal resorts.
Dutch resortshave to reinvent themselves to continue to attract the tourist attention. Inthe context of the global economy it aren’t just businesses that compete forthe same consumers and resources, even whole nations compete for international headquarters,events (the Olympics) and human resources. An attractive coast and seasideresorts could be a motive to consider settling, investing or visiting. So isthe Dutch coast going to continue to compete on price and scale? Or is it goingto compete on totally different level, playing on his own strengths by offeringsomething unique, something that has quality and can’t be found anywhere elsein the world?Action is needed. Climate change offers the opportunity to relyinvest in these places.
This thesis looksinto the use of place identity and narrative as an approach to attract newtourism which better suits the coldwater character. In our postmodern societyand global economy where places seem to look and feel similar, people are moreand more looking for authenticity, for something that feels real and local.Through actor-networks on the regional and local level, entrepreneurs, governmentsand others involved in the tourism product collaborate to present authenticcoastal experiences in which each resort takes up its unique identity. Theseare conveyed by telling narratives through branding and design in which thecoastal defence is an integral part. Petten NH is used as an example toillustrate the ideas discussed.
The tidal gully area. With the coming and going of the tide salty water enters the beach flat near Callantsoog. Here a salt water marsh environment evolves intersected by numerous small creeks that drain to the deeper gully. Visitors can enter the area by means of the extended vertical dams or walking paths. The area will surely attract many birds feeding and breeding in a brackish or salty environment. To the right lies the peninsula of Callantsoog which is bordered by a bay on the other side. This peninsula shape is intentional. Now Callantsoog has its ‘eye’ back (oog = eye which means island) referring to the historic conditions when Callantsoog was a separate island.
The weak intersection of the Hondsbossche sea dyke and the dune area to the north is strengthened by adding large amounts of sand. This in turn will form a large dune which can be explored and visited for recreation
View from large dune at Petten
