Eco-humanist Tourism Perspective Towards Sustainability: The Case of Dusun Semilir, Indonesia

Abstract

A tourist destination designed through the concept of eco-park, Dusun Semilir is one of the environmentally friendly tourist destinations in Semarang. However, the design implementation does not consider the humanist aspects, especially for tourists with limitations (parents and children), who are unable to access. This study aims to provide perspective on a tourist destination that uses the concept of ecotourism as well as combines with humanist architecture, to ensure that environmental relationship with humans remains in synergy. A qualitative method was used to explore phenomena and problems that occur in study objects to produce ecological and universal design concepts. The humanist concept needs to be borrowed to complement the ecotourism concept for the architects and related stakeholders to plan a tourist destination from two perspectives of the concept. We argue that the eco-humanist tourism perspective provides an understanding that a tourist destination is successful when the fulfillment of human needs is met without harming the environment, social, culture, economy of the tourist destination.

Implementation of the ecohumanist concept in the Grand Maerakaca tourism space, Semarang, Indonesia

“…These two are defined as a conceptual framework in which equal attention is paid to human and ecological well-being (Cohen, 2019;Peters & Verderber, 2017). Eco-humanism is a new paradigm that connects people, the environment and sustainability (Sari et al, 2022b). It is a human perspective for appreciating nature in every way to maintain tourist destination sustainability for generations to come.…”

“…This tourist destination, which was established in 2019 using an eco-park theme where the implementation of the tourist space design correctly utilizes natural materials. Sari et al (2022b) have also conducted research related to the implementation of the eco-humanist concept in Dusun Semilir and almost all principles have been implemented although there are still some points that are not optimal such as the application of ramp and step designs that are too steep. Dusun Semilir continues to innovate to create interesting tourist attractions, and the implementation of the design is in line with the main concept so that tourist spaces are aligned and integrated with the theme (see Figure 11).…”

“…From the many concepts, researchers introduce the perspective of eco-humanism to be able to assess the implementation of tourist space design from aspects of ecology and humanist architecture. The eco-humanist tourism perspective provides an understanding that a tourist destination is successful when the fulfilment of human needs is met without harming the environment, society, culture or the economy of the tourist destination (Sari et al, 2022b). As the location of Grand Maerakaca is in the northern coastal area of Java, with the availability of natural tourist attractions such as mangroves, it will be assessed using an eco-humanist approach in order to find out which tourist space design aspects inconvenience tourists and ultimately make them reluctant to visit again.…”