Tourist Gaze & Ground Zero Case Study

• The resource is a collection of case studies focusing on how different forces shape and reshape places, and the consequences of these changes.

Tourist Gaze at Ground Zero, New York

• The United States grapples with representing sensitive historical sites, like Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center towers were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.

• The "tourist gaze" simplifies or sensationalizes the complexities of places to meet tourist expectations.

• Ground Zero as a site embodies national tragedy and grief, creating a challenge for respectful tourism.

• Examples of tourist behavior:

  • Some tourists prioritize taking photos and selfies, potentially diminishing the memorial's solemnity.
  • Tragedy commodification includes selling souvenirs or tours that exploit the tragedy deemed disrespectful.
  • Focusing solely on the event without historical understanding can trivialize the tragedy.

• Benefits of tourism:

  • Tourists can generate revenue for the city and support infrastructure.
  • The site educates and reflects 9/11 fosters international understanding.
  • Memorial visits can be a cathartic experience to pay respects to victims.

• Statistics:

  • Over 7 million people visited the 9/11 Memorial in 2019.

• Negatives of tourist behavior:

  • Disrespect can cause distress to victim's families.
  • Sensationalizing the event can overshadow the human cost of the attacks.
  • Exploiting the tragedy for profit becomes disrespectful and insensitive.

• Strategies encouraging respect:

  • Providing historical context enhances understanding.
  • Encouraging visitor etiquette promotes reflection.
  • Supporting local initiatives engages with the site's legacy meaningfully.

Tourist Gaze at Auschwitz-Birkenau

• Poland faces ethical concerns of tourism at sites of intense tragedy, like the former Nazi Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

• The "tourist gaze", presents a stark ethical dilemma.

• Examples of tourist behavior:

  • Taking selfies or disrespectful photos undermines the site.
  • Treating the visit as a casual activity trivializes the suffering.
  • Loud talking is inappropriate in the solemn atmosphere.

• Benefits of tourism:

  • Visiting the camp is a learning experience of the Holocaust.
  • Over 2 million people visit Auschwitz-Birkenau annually.
  • Revenue maintains the site for future generations.
  • The camp serves as a reminder of the consequences of prejudice.

• Negatives of the tourist gaze:

  • Lack of empathy causes distress.
  • Selling tours exploits the camp's history in a disrespectful way.
  • The experience is potentially desensitizing.

• Strategies encouraging respect:

  • Visitors should be educated on the site.
  • Visitor rules should include decorum and quiet reflection.
  • Historical context focuses on the site's narratives.

Transformation of Milton Abbas

• Milton Abbas in Dorset, England, was transformed by landowner Joseph Damer in the 1770's.

• The town destruction was motivated by Damer's dislike of how close it was to Milton Abbey.

• Damer sought to create an idealized vision of the landscape.

• Damer's plan did the following:

  • Aesthetics: Damer, aided by Lancelot Brown, created a picturesque landscape in a more idealized rural aesthetic.
  • Conrtol: Damer gained complete control over the land.
  • Economic Potential: Relocation fostered a controlled and more productive workforce.

• The negatives included:

  • Community Destruction: Forced relocation shattered livelihoods.
  • Loss of History: Centuries of heritage erased.
  • Power Imbalance: Stark power imbalance arose between Damer and workers.

• Some key figures and data:

  • Hundreds were forced to move by Damer.
  • Compensation was limited.
  • William Harrison sued Damer in resistance.

PoundBury- Planned Vision for Urban Change in England

• Located in Dorset, England, construction on Poundbury began in 1993.

• Prince Charles sought to create a sustainable, traditional-looking center of the new town.

• Main benefits of the design include:

  • Aesthetically pleasing is traditional architecture.
  • Mixed-use development creates a socially vibrant environment.
  • Green building practices and renewable energy sources are present.
  • Attracts businesses and residents.

• Criticism of the development:

  • It is mainly aimed at wealthy residents, creating social inequalities.
  • The architectural style lacks diversity.
  • The town feels contrived.

• Key figures and data:

  • The average house price in Poundbury is much higher than the national average.
  • Every building is subject to strict design codes with some long term successes.

New Era Estate - Gentrification and Community Resistance in London

• The New Era Estate provided affordable housing for families as a council estate.

• A private investment firm, Westbrook Partners purchased the New Era Estate in 2014.

• High rent increases planned led to pushing residents out.

• Developers saw this as a benefit:

  • Offered the potential for high rental yields.
  • Boosted company's profits.
  • Promised a modern aesthetic.

• Residents experienced:

  • Displacement as the rent hikes threatened long-term residents.
  • It threatens Losss of Social Fabric.
  • There is increased Inequality as influx of wealthier.

• Some key figures and data:

  • Westbrook planned to raise rents by 300%.
  • Over 300,000 signed a petition and the campaign received celebrity support.
  • Westbrook sold the estate to Dolphin Living, a housing charity and has regeneration plans.

Rebranding Llandudno, Wales

• By the late 20th century, the Victorian seaside resort faced issues:

  • The area faced declining visitor numbers.
  • An aging demographic was residing.
  • Competition from destinations increased.

• Llandudno recognized the need to attract younger demographics.

• Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" provided a new marketing appeal.

• The benefits included:

  • Themed Attractions: Wonderland sculptures installed.
  • Cultural Events such as themed teas offered.
  • A Wonderland theme appealed to families.

• Problems for the area included: -Critics say the Alice in Wonderland theme is too niche and may neglect the heritage appeal.

  • Sculpture installation received mixed feedback.
  • Overshadowed traditional seaside beauty.

• Success figures include:

  • Tourist numbers indicated minor increase.
  • Exact cost for construction in materials unknown.
  • Smaller businesses embraced themes.

Rebranding Africa #TheAfricaTheMediaDoesntShowYou

• Africa is a continent with geographical and cultural diversity that Western media portrays one-sided.

• #TheAfricaTheMediaDoesntShowYou emerged in response to this.

• It aims to showcase the continent's beauty by user-generated content.

• Some positives include:

  • Challenging the negative stereotypes by amplifying voices.
  • Boosting potential Economic and tourism development.
  • Africans control their own narrative for success.

• However, there were some issues:

  • The reach is limited.
  • Campaign is mainly online.
  • Superficial Portrayal can present as overly-rosy.
  • There are challenges to infrastructure across Africa.
  • However, #TheAfricaTheMediaDoesntShowYou has generated millions of views from the social media.

New Chinese Names for Great Britain

• The United Kingdom aimed to increase tourist numbers and growing outbound market.

• The "Great Chinese Names for Great Britain" campaign by VisitBritain in 2015 invited the Chinese public.

• The competition created new names for icons.

• Positives:

  • The competition was culturally sensitive.
  • Increased Visibility in search results.
  • Generated excitement from public engagement.
  • Negative views argue the established landmarks lose originality from the initiative.

• Key data:

  • Campaign reached great media awareness.
  • "Zhai Xing Ta" ( "Pick-a-Star Tower") was one of the most popular landmarks translated.
  • Following, Chinese tourists increased 27%.

Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire

• Great Missenden faces a future shaped by internal and external factors with the potential arrival and strong sense of community.

• Endogenous Factors:

  • Strong sense of peaceful and community.
  • Maintaining lifestyles and traditional ways valued.
  • Few employment opportunities contribute.

• Exogenous Factors:

  • Railway transformed Great Missenden historically.
  • Rise of housing prices make Great Missenden an attractive proposition.
  • Roald Dahl generated external revenue by injecting tourist attraction.
  • The effects of the HS2 are unknown for construction.

• Impacts:

  • Benefits include improving connectivity.
  • HS2 negatively could cause environment damage.
  • Uncertainty results in potential problems.

Detroit - Endogenous Decline and Exogenous Renewal Location: Michigan, USA

• Detroit was once a booming industrial center known as "Motor City."

• The case explores the challenges and opportunities of future trajectory.

• The internal(Endogenous)Factors include:

  • Detroit's economy heavily relied American industry.
  • Weakening image led to population flight and social fabric.
  • Suburbanization left the city center with dwindling businesses.

• External(Exogenous) Factors:

  • The decline of the competition erodes American car industry.
  • Job losses occur because of oil and loss of demand.
  • Exogenous factors like this contributed.

• Positives:

  • Arts and culture attract entrepreneurs, which has sparked degrees of renewal and opportunity for investment.
  • Focus in sector aims to create.

• Challenges include:

  • Gentrification could exacerbate social Inequalities.
  • Strategies need to be ensured for development.

• Key data:

  • Detroit's population shrank since the 1950s.
  • Hundreds of jobs are lost yearly to the decline.