SEMESTER PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, AND
DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
This program studies human development and environmental
issues in Latin America within the framework of an
interdisciplinary semester program, which offers the
opportunity to broaden knowledge and to experience first-hand
the multidimensional challenges for sustainability in the
region. Case studies from Latin America, as well as sustainable
development policy discussion are features of this program.
ACADEMIC COURSES
• Poverty and Human Development in Latin America
• Current Environmental Issues in Latin America
• Rural and Urban Dimensions of Sustainable Development
• Ecotourism, Conservation and Local Development
• Spanish Language
ECOTOURISM, CONSERVATION,
AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The course will be given in a seminar form, and will be complemented by guest
speakers, tutorials, and field trips that are designed to provide an overview of
ecotourism. Ecotourism refers to nature-based tourism involving education and
understanding of the natural environment and its relationship to local
communities, managed so as to be ecologically, socially, and economically
sustainable. The course is enriched by Costa Rica’s experience in tourism and
ecotourism, as well as other Latin American case studies.
METHODOLOGY
The seminar will encourage active participation of student through the use of
case studies, round tables, guest speakers a field trip, class discussions and
presentations, as well as a midterm exam and an individual/group project in a
real Costa Rican organization. For the final project each student will select and
analyze an ecotourism company, organization, or protected area and present
his/her final analysis using the tools given throughout the course.
EVALUATION:
z Attendance and Participation
z Mid- term test
z Assignment
1
z Assignment 2
z Round Table Discussion
z Quizzes
z Final Individual project
TOTAL
15%
25%
10%
10%
5%
10%
25%
100%
CONTENTS
Session
Subject
Introduction
1
2
The Nature of
Tourism
Detailed Subjects
Introduction and description of the course,
Overview of Course Program
Course methodology and evaluation
Course expectations
DEFINITION /BACKROUND:
The Nature of tourism
ANALYSIS
The tourism industry today
Tourism indicators in LA
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Why choosing CR as a destination
3
4
5
6
DEFINITION/ BACKROUND:
Origins of ecotourism
ANALYSIS
Ecotourism as an extension of sustainable
development
Ecotourism industry, key players and evolution
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Hunting Safaris, Tanzania.
DEFINITION/ BACKROUND:
Natural
Resources, Protected areas, ecotourism development in PA
Conservatio ANALYSIS
Use and management of protected areas for
n and
ecotourism
Protected
Tourism in Costa Rican National Parks and
Areas
protected areas
History of Costa Rican Private Reserves
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Monteverde Private Reserve
Ecotourism
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Stakeholders and their impact
Stakeholders
ANALYSIS
Tour Operators
Guides
Managers and owners
Eco-tourists
Local communities
NGOs
Government
Role of ethics in tourism
CHALLENGES/ CASE STUDIES
Good and bad experiences
Guides and their impact in ecotourism
Ecotourism
Field trip to
the
Community
of San
Antonio de
Tour package include: Visit to the town church, a
traditional “trapiche,” and artisans from town
7
Escazu
Local
Communities
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Local communities
Heritage
ANALYSIS
Social and economic development of local
communities in LA
Our heritage
A comparison of mass tourism vs. ecotourism
impact in local communities
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Galapagos Island/ Macchu Picchu/ Coco Island
8
Ecotourism
Impacts
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Social, cultural, economic, ecological impacts of
ecotourism
ANALYSIS
Measurements of impacts
Methods of measurement
Who and how is responsible for impacts
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Cases of good and bad practices of Ecotourism in
Latin America
9
Ecotourism
Impacts /
Movie
10
Government
Role in
Ecotourism
ANALYSIS
Review of impact mitigation
Empowerment of people: keys for community
development
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Lessons learned from experience
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Regional and
ecotourism
Legal framework for ecotourism activities in
Costa Rica
ANALYSIS
ICT programs to foster community based
ecotourism
local governments’ roles in
CHALLENGES/ CASE STUDIES
Forecast of Costa Rican tourism industry
11
Round table
and
midterm exam
12
Hospitality
Management
13
The Economics,
Marketing, and
Management of
Ecotourism I
14
The Economics,
Marketing, and
Management of
Ecotourism II
15
Course Wrap
up
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Hospitality management
ANALYSIS
Back office management
Natural Resource hospitality managers
Involving the local community
Responsible hospitality management
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Finca Rosa Blanca – Hotel Lapa Rios
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Ecotourism program planning
ANALYSIS
Starting a project
Creating an ecotourism product or service
Project evaluation
Fundraising and financial support for ecotourism
projects
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
Costa Rica’s bet for ecotourism and its results
DEFINITION / BACKROUND
Strategic Marketing for ecotourism
ANALYSIS
Market behavior and niches
International certification for tourism
Benefits and threats of an ecotourism certificate
CHALLENGES / CASE STUDIES
ICT’s Green label for tourism (Costa Rica
Green Flag Label in Costa Rica)
Oral presentations and group discussion of final
project experience
BASIC READINGS
Strong World Tourism Growth in 2007 UNWTO.
http://www.world-tourism.org/media/index.php
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism
http://www.worldtourism.org/code_ethics/pdf/languages/Codigo%20Etico%20Ing.pdf
Honey M. 1999. Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism. Who owns paradise? Island
Press. Washington D.C. USA Chapter 1, 2,
Fennell D. 1999. Ecotourism: An Introduction. Routledge, England. 315 p
Robin Hurt Hunting Safaris, Tanzania. Case Studies from book: Case Studies in
Ecotourism Ralf Buckley
D. A. Fennell.2000. Ecotourism Programme Planning
PART 2: COASTAL AREAS
Chapter 6: Cahuita, Limón, Costa Rica: From conflict to collaboration
Guidelines for community-based ecotourism development WWF International01
Steve Case's Eco-Getaway Resort in Costa Rica Goes for the Big Green
ECOTOURISM IMPACT MONITORING: A Review of Methodologies and
Recommendations for Developing Monitoring Programs in Latin America
by Abigail Rome P. 7 - 29
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MATERIAL
Honey M. 2000. Giving a Grade to Costa Rica’s Green Tourism. Report on the
Environment. NACLA Report on the Americas, USA. 46 p.
Fennell D. 1999. Ecotourism: An Introduction. Routledge, England. 315 p
Epler-Wood, M. 2003. Community, Conservation and Commerce. Epler-Wood
International
Sue Beeton, 1998. Ecotourism. A practical guide for rural communities
D. A. Fennell.2000. Ecotourism Programme Planning
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
IN LATIN AMERICA
INTRODUCTION
This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge about environmental
and sustainable development policies, illustrated with examples and case studies
from Latin America, with a particular emphasis on Central America. A practical
approach to the environmental green, blue, gray and brown agendas and crosscutting critical topics (energy, climate change and land-use systems) will
constitute the mainstay of the course. The course has been structured under
three main headings which include: (a) context, importance value; (b) threats and
sources of threats; (c) strategies to improve status.
OBJECTIVE(S)
1. Introduce students to the main local, regional and global environmental
issues facing our world today
2. Encourage students interest in environmental research topics by engaging
them in the four environmental agendas (green, blue, gray and brown)
and cross-cutting themes (energy, climate change and land-use systems)
for their final papers and oral presentations
3. Discuss on-going research and sustainable development issues in Costa
Rica by reviewing key initiatives at the National Biodiversity Institute
(INBio)
4. Encourage creative thinking and individual and collective action
regarding environmental issues
CONTENTS
Unit I: THE GREEN AGENDA-BIODIVERSITY
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Definitions: genes, species, ecosystems, protected areas, environmental
services…
THREATS AND SOURCES OF THREATS
• Human impacts on biodiversity
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Protecting, cataloguing and using (i.e.: bio-prospecting); payment for
environmental services, environmental education
Unit II: THE GREEN AGENDA-FORESTRY
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Definitions: forest ecosystems, forest management and protection
THREATS AND SOURCES OF THREATS
• Deforestation, soil erosion, logging, invasive species
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Sustainable management policies, education, environmental services
and incentives, ecotourism
Unit III: THE GREEN AGENDA-AGRICULTURE
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Tropical production systems, nutrition and health related issues, socioeconomic relevance
THREATS AND SOURCES OF THREATS
• Water and soil pollution, encroachment, deforestation, change of land
use
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Productivity, clean production technologies and incentives, policies,
education, infrastructure
Unit IV: THE BLUE AGENA-MARINE AND COASTAL AREAS, RIVERS,
WETLANDS AND ACQUIFERS
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Planet Water. Watersheds, aquatic life, genetic diversity. Uses and
services provided
THREATS AND SOURCES
• Over-fishing, sedimentation, pollution, natural disasters, climate
changeÆ rise in sea level, flooding, destruction of coral reefs, water
scarcity…
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Preservation of coastal marine resources, education, investment in
sanitation and water conservation projects, appropriate technologies,
sustainable fisheries
Unit V: THE BROWN AGENDA
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Pollution and waste management
THREATS AND SOURCES
Main contaminants and impacts, health problems, traffic congestion,
noise, sewage treatment and disposal, agro-chemicals and other
contaminants
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Planning, policies, 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle), education, public
transportation
•
Unit VI: THE GRAY AGENDA
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Current and expected population, the moral dimension and
underlying causes of poverty, consumption, waste, traffic
THREATS AND SOURCES
• Run-off, inadequate waste disposal, land degradation, rapid and
unplanned development, increased demand on the resource base,
population explosion
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Planning, policies, education, enforcement, healthcare and sanitation,
sound land and management practices, proper waste disposal
Unit VII: ENERGY
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Definitions, energy sources, renewable energy, clean production
THREATS AND SOURCES
• Political, economic, environmental and technological issues
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Alternative sources, policies, energy efficiency strategies, consumption
patterns
Unit VIII: CLIMATE CHANGE
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Definitions, current status
THREATS AND SOURCES
• Biodiversity loss, human mortality, flooding, tropical vector diseases,
destruction of agriculture and water resources, desertification, sea
level rise, contamination
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Policies, education, enforcement, energy efficiency, alternative fuels
Unit IX: LAND USE SYSTEMS
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Definitions of key land use systems (urban, agriculture, forest,
protected areas)
THREATS AND SOURCES
• Poor policies and lack of enforcement
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Adequate planning and enforcement. Sustainable development,
education
Unit X: ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES, ACTORS AND CONVENTIONS
CONTEXT, IMPORTANCE, VALUE
• Definitions, International conventions, protocols and agreements,
international and local authorities, actors, NGOs
THREATS AND SOURCES
• Lack of enforcement and signatories
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STATUS
• Enforcement, pressure groups, political pressure
METHODOLOGY
Each week will normally include three key components: A lecture by teacher, a
discussion of current environmental issues as reported by the press (global and
local) and a progress review of research topics conducted by the students. The
course includes a field trip to introduce students to on-going research and
development issues in Costa Rica.
a) Research papers
Two or three research papers/essays will be submitted and orally presented
throughout or at the end of the course. Topics will be defined and assigned
during the first week of the course, based on students’ individual interests.
b) Newspaper readings
Every week, 20 to 30 minutes will be dedicated to discuss relevant environmental
issues (local and global) as reported in the local press. The objective is to
motivate the students to read in Spanish and to be aware of the actuality of the
country/region.
c) Field Trips
A field trip to the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) will be organized to
allow students to appreciate the importance of conserving, researching and
utilizing biodiversity in a sustainable fashion.
EVALUATION
Attendance and Participation
Reports and Quizzes
• Field trip report (5%)
• Midterm report (15%)
• Environmental agenda report (5%)
• Movie report (5%)
Final research paper & oral presentation
• Written paper (25%)
• Oral presentation (25%)
20 %
30 %
50 %
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bawa, K.S. and Seidler, R. (1998) Natural Forest Management and Conservation
of Biodiversity in Tropical Forests. Conservation Biology. Vol.12, No.1:4655.
Bowen, M. (2006). “It’s Not Too Late.” Technology Review. P.37-74.
Daily, G.C. (1997). Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems.
Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
Daily, G.C and Ellison, K. (2002). The New Economy of Nature: The Quest to Make
Conservation Profitable. Washington, D.C.: Island Press.
Gore, A. (2006). An Inconvenient Truth. New York: Rodale.
Hunder, D., Salzman, J. & Zaelke, D. (1998). International Environmental Law and
Policy. New York: Foundation Press.
Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad. Retrieved January 2006 from
http://www.inbio.ac.cr/
Murillo, K. and Jukofsky, D. (2001). Humedales de Centroamerica. San Jose:
Rainforest Alliance.
Programa Estado de la Nación (ed). (2006). Estado de la Nación en Desarrollo
Humano Sostenible. Pavas: Programa Estado de la Nación.
Reid, W., Laird, S., Meyer, C. et al. (1993). Biodiversity Prospecting: Using Genetic
Resources for Sustainable Development. Washington, D.C.: World Resources
Institute.
Rodriguez, J. (2005). Centroamérica en el Limite Forestal: Desafíos para la
Implementación de las Políticas Forestales en el Istmo. Guatemala: PROARCA.
Steinber, P.F. (2001). Environmental Leadership in Developing Countries.
Cambridge: MIT Press.
“The Heat is On.” (2006). The Economist. Vol.380, No.8494: P.1-24.
UNEP (1999). Global Environmental Outlook 2000. London: Earthscan Publications
Ltd.
Wilson, E.O. (1992) The Diversity of Life. New York: WW Norton & Co.
*Current newspaper and magazine articles are examined weekly
Rural & Urban Dimensions of
Sustainable Human Development
INTRODUCTION
The course analyzes the most important characteristics of Latin America’s rural
and urban development. It is designed to provide an understanding of the
evolution of the urban and rural development process in the region and the
policies that have conditioned that process. It includes an analytical approach to
some of successes and failures experienced in Latin America and how they have
impacted, in particular, the local environment and human living conditions.
OBJECTIVES
1. To provide the student with the details to analyze the relationship between
humans and the environment.
2. To develop an understanding of Latin America’s history of urban and rural
development and examine the actual situation on Latin American cities´
sustainability within that context.
3. To offer the student the knowledge related to the rural and urban dimension
of sustainable development.
4. To understand the key points present in what is considered to be a
Sustainable City and discuss what actions can be taken in Latin America to
improve its living conditions.
CONTENTS
Unit I: URBAN-RURAL LINKAGES
The importance of rural and urban centers will be studied, but most important,
the linkages that occur between the two in order to analyze the potential for
human sustainable development
Unit II: GLOBALIZATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AT THE
URBAN-RURAL LEVEL
A discussion will be encouraged to analyze the role of globalization on the
current state of the world. Arguments will be studied on the positive and
negative effects the world is facing and how those effects have shaped the
developing possibilities of Latin America.
Unit II: HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION AND URBAN AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Students will be asked to present a general background on different countries
assigned and the presentation will be complemented with a presentation from
the teacher.
Unit III: URBAN DEVELOPMENT:
A city is by definition unsustainable because of its nature. If we add to the
equation, how cities were born in America, the immigration patterns and the lack
of resources, we end up with most of the cities we have in Latin America. Some
basic strategies are presented that would help build or transform into what is
considered to be a sustainable city.
Unit IV: RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND POLICIES
The rural population accounts for a large percentage of the overall population in
Latin America and at the same time it faces serious economic and social
challenges. Some of these challenges and initiatives are presented in order to
illustrate the situation in the area.
Unit VI: POPULATION GROWTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This unit describes the patterns of population growth in the world, both in
developed and developing countries.
The characteristics of the growth
determine the living conditions both in rural and urban areas.
Unit V: ENVIRONMENTAL LINKED TO RURAL AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
Lack of planning, poverty, and increase in population are some of the issues that
worsen the situation within cities. A detailed discussion will take place to study
the environmental problems affecting urban dwellers.
Unit VI: POVERTY, AND URBAN-RURAL DEVELOPMENT (GLOBAL
AGREEMENTS
Much has been said in regards to the impact of the poor on the environment,
deforestation, killing of species and others. This class will challenge the real
impact of the poor on the detriment to the environment and present the other
side of the coin, the impact of poor environmental conditions on the quality of
life of the poor, especially in developing countries. REFERENCE TO AGENDA
21.
Unit VII: FINAL DISCUSSION ON HOW TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
A final discussion is encouraged to wrap up all the concepts and challenges
studied throughout the course.
METHODOLOGY: Active student participation is encouraged all throughout
the course and different methodologies will be used to promote discussion.
• Teacher presentations
• Group discussions
• Individual presentations
• Debates
• “Brain storming”
EVALUATION
•
•
•
•
Midterm (30%)
Final examination (30%)
Attendance & Participation (10%)
Final Presentation (30%)
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
Annis, Sheldon. Poverty, Natural Resources and Public Policy in Central America.
Transcation Publishers (1992).
Asher, Wand and Hubbard, A. Recuperación y Desarrollo de Centroamérica. Trejos
Hermanos, (1989).
Birkeland, Manis. Design for Sustainability, a sourcebook of integrated eco-logical
solutions. Earthscan, 2000.
Blackmore, Roger and Reddish, Alan. Global environmental issues.
Universty. Second Edition. (2003).
The open
Bossel, Hartmut. Earth at a Crossroads. Paths to a sustainable future. Cambridge
University Press. 1998.
Cabanas Díaz, Andres et al. El Mezquital: a community’s struggle for development;
Poverty reduction in Urban Areas, working paper 1. IIED (2001).
Chudacoff, Howard and Smith, Judith. The Evolution of American Urban Society.
Prentice Hall, third edition, 1975.
Fernández, Roberto. Gestión Ambiental de Ciudades. Teoría Crítica y aportes
metodológicos. PNUMA, 1er edición, 2000.
Flora, Jan L and Torres-Rivas Edelberto. Sociology of “Developing Societies”
CENTRAL AMERICA. Monthly review Press (1989).
Hardoy, Jorge E et al. Environmental Problems in an Urbanizing world. IIED (2001).
Healey, P et al. Managing Cities. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. (1995).
IIED. Environment & Urbanization. Globalizationh & Cities. Brief 5. April 2002.
IIED. Environment & Urbanization. Rural-urban transformations and the links
between urban and rural development. Brief 7. April 2003.
IIED. Environment & Urbanization. Rural-urban transformations. Volume 15,
Number 1, April 2003.
IIED. Environment & Urbanization. The potentials and limitations of partnerships
for sustainable cities. Brief 2. October 2002.
IIED. Environment & Urbanization. Towards more pro-poor local governments in
urban areas. Brief 1. April 2000.
IIED. Environment & Urbanization. Urban Governance and Health development in
León Nicaragua.. Volume 11, Number 1, April 1999.
Lungo, Mario. Producción del hábitat popular en condiciones de riesgo. Centro
Cooperativo Sueco, 2004.
Paddison, Ronan. Handbook of urban studies. Sage Publications, 2001
PNUD. Segundo informe sobre desarrollo humano en Centroamérica y Panamá.
Editorama S.A. (2003).
Pretty, Jules. Guide to a Green Planet. University of Essex. (2002).
Proyecto Estado de La Nación. Estado de La Nación en Desarrollo Humano
Sostenible. (2002 and 2004).
Pugh, C (editor). Sustainable Cities in developing countries. IIED (2000).
Ruerd, Rouben. Rural Development in Central America : Markets, Livelihoods and
Local Governance. Palgrave Macmillan (2000).
Smith, M et al. Greening the Built Environment. Earthscan, London, 1998.
Steinbacher, Roberta and Benson, Virginia. Introduction to urban studies.
Kendasll/Hunt Publishing Company, 1995.
UNEP, One planet many people. UNEP (2005).
UNEP. Geo Year Book 2004/2005.
Earthprint (2005).
An overview of our changing environment.
Walter, B et al. Sustainable Cities. Eco-Home Media (1993).
Woodward, Ralph Lee Jr. CENTRAL AMERICA: a nation divided. Oxford University
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