Methodology for informed design of sustainable tourism accommodation in Chile’s 9th Region the Gateway to Patagonia

AbstractLying between Chile's agricultural Central Valley and the wilds of Patagonia, the micro region of Araucanía Andina, is seeing a rise in both national and international tourism. With its snow-capped volcanoes, national parks, native forests and indigenous Mapuche culture, the region offers a wide range of activities to the Special Interest Tourist. The development of winter sports facilities and the growth in Northern Hemisphere visitors during the austral winter is extending the season, in what was previously predominantly a destination for Chilean summer holidaymakers. The tourism infrastructure must therefore respond to provide comfortable, energy efficient, sustainable accommodation during both the cold wet winters and short hot summers, meeting the expectations of an ever more demanding international market. The government funded research project “Sustainable Construction System and Energy Efficiency for Special Interest Tourist Infrastructure in the Araucanía Andina,” FONDEF Regional D10R1003, aims to provide the knowledge needed by the local tourist industry to achieve this goal. This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of the project, including the study of local vernacular architecture, post occupation evaluation of existing infrastructure, bioclimatic analysis, environmental and technical assessment of insulation and construction materials, digital simulation of proposals and the construction of physical test cells. The resulting proposal is a system of timber-framed walls, insulated with sheep's wool, finished externally with a ventilated façade. It is hoped that this prefabricated system, in conjunction with best practice guidelines for construction and management, should enable a sustainable future for the region's tourism. At the same time, the methodology provides a replicable template that has already been applied in other regions of the country

The challenge of sustainable tourist infrastructure in the Araucania Andina, Chile

Special interest tourists demand high-quality accommodation that respects its local environment and resources, and enhances existing cultures whilst meeting their expectations in terms of comfort and service. With its mix of volcanoes, monkey puzzle tree forests, indigenous Mapuche culture, ski resorts and a high concentration of National Parks, the micro-region of Araucania Andina in Chile’s 9th Region has become increasingly attractive as special interest tourist destination. As this demand increases the infrastructure of the region must adapt and evolve. Accommodation must provide comfort both during the cold wet winters which coincide with the main influx of international tourists and the short hot summers of the local peak holiday season. At the same time priority must be given to minimizing energy consumption due to both national and international energy shortages, and in some cases the lack of connection to the national grid due to isolated locations. This paper presents a review of the current tourism accommodation available in the micro-region, with post occupancy evaluation of selected establishments. Initial results show that most accommodation is inefficient in its energy use and provides poor hygro-thermal comfort. However innovation and some exemplary projects do exist. The findings of this paper form the benchmark for the design of a sustainable construction system, using local resources for thermal insulation, and the transfer of technology and best practice in energy generation, waste disposal, and heating systems for the tourism infrastructure in the micro-region of Araucania Andin