Waves of Development: The Influence of Surf Tourism on Coastal Bali

Abstract

Surfers travel around the world in search of perfect waves. Oftentimes this quest leads them to remote areas in developing nations. Over time these places become more popular and the development related to tourism follows. While it may seem like a straightforward economic activity, tourism is a complex interaction that involves groups that have differing and often conflicting goals. The stakeholders include the local community, tourists, private sector businesses, tourist organizations, governments, non-profit organizations and international organizations. The type and scale of development that is appropriate depends on many factors that are unique to each place. Decisions about the construction, location and operations determine a project’s impact on the local community and the environment. This research analyzes the impact surf tourism has had on the coastal development in Bali, Indonesia including infrastructure, building and environmental impacts. As a result, I designed accommodations for traveling surfers that enhance the positive aspects of tourism while mitigating the negative impacts. The accommodations were designed so that a community could build the structures using locally sourced materials and labor, thereby, adding support to the Balinese economy. The project used passive strategies to reduce the demands on natural resources and is as self-sufficient as possible. I believe that an environmentally sensitive, architecturally and culturally appropriate design that benefits the community can be realized.