Community and Environment Centered Sustainable Development: Case Studies from Puerto Princesa City of Island Palawan, the Philippines

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation , 2014 , 281 Pages , Grade: A+

Asian studies

Former mayor Edward Hagedorn and officials have set their vision to see the City of Puerto Princesa, on Palawan Island in the Philippines, as “a model city in sustainable development.” This dissertation discusses how people have committed to accomplish this vision and also how they have contributed to Puerto Princesa being recognized as the “City in the Forest” of the Philippines. The objective of this study is to identify the sustainable development model of Puerto Princesa City and to describe the sustainable development story of Puerto Princesa using case studies and to offer an exclusive approach to case study research that is practical and applicable in other parts of the Philippines and neighboring countries. Global recognition to the concept of sustainable development, its history and application in to island city is discussed throughout this dissertation.

This dissertation introduces the trend of the world, the Philippines and Puerto Princesa City’s mangrove and forest covers. Case studies of annual mangrove plantation and tree planting are discussed in detail. Community based sustainable tourism and livelihood activities are also discussed in the form of case studies. Based on the interviews and surveys, stakeholder’s contribution, leadership and the society of Puerto Princesa City is described. Puerto Princesa City’s tourism development story, why people protects the environment, the sustainable development story of Puerto Princesa City and the possibility of applying of the Puerto Princesa City’s sustainable development model in other parts of the Philippines and neighboring countries are also described in detail.

This study is conducted in the form of a case study. Qualitative data are mostly used but at the same time quantitative data are also used to prove qualitative descriptions as a mixed methodology. Data gathering techniques used in this study are interviews, focus groups, surveys, photography, participatory observations, action research and desk research. The sustainability of projects has resulted in creation of the first carbon neutral city in Southeast Asia, despite the fact that Puerto Princesa is highly an urbanizing city in the Philippines. Local community, policy makers, academia and politicians of the city are in agreement that the community is fully aware of forestation, protection and environmental security in the city, primarily because of continuous community based economic, environmental and social development projects.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• 1.1. Background of the Study
• 1.2. Statement of the Problem
• 1.3. Objectives of the Study
• 1.4. Significance of the Study
• 1.5. Scope and Delimitations of the Study
• 1.6. Conceptual Framework
• 1.7. Definition of Terms
• Chapter 2: Literature Review
• 2.1. Sustainable Development
• 2.2. Community-Based Sustainable Development
• 2.3. Environmentally Sound Sustainable Development
• 2.4. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
• 2.5. Ecotourism
• 2.6. Sustainable Tourism
• 2.7. Community Participation in Tourism Development
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• 3.1. Research Design
• 3.2. Research Locale
• 3.3. Data Collection Methods
• 3.4. Data Analysis
• Chapter 4: Findings and Discussion
• 4.1. Community Participation in Sustainable Development
• 4.2. Environmental Sustainability in Tourism Development
• 4.3. Socio-Economic Impacts of Tourism Development
• 4.4. Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development
• Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

Objectives and Key Themes

This dissertation examines the implementation of community and environment-centered sustainable development in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. It investigates the role of community participation and environmental sustainability in tourism development, exploring their socio-economic impacts and identifying challenges and opportunities for future development.

• Community-Based Sustainable Development
• Environmental Sustainability in Tourism Development
• Socio-Economic Impacts of Tourism
• Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development in Puerto Princesa City
• The Role of Community Participation in Sustainable Development

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 introduces the research topic, providing a background of the study, outlining the research problem, objectives, significance, scope, conceptual framework, and defining key terms. Chapter 2 reviews relevant literature on sustainable development, community-based development, environmental sustainability, integrated coastal zone management, ecotourism, sustainable tourism, and community participation in tourism development. Chapter 3 discusses the research methodology, including the research design, locale, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques. Chapter 4 presents the findings and discussion, focusing on community participation in sustainable development, environmental sustainability in tourism development, the socio-economic impacts of tourism, and the challenges and opportunities for sustainable development in Puerto Princesa City.

Keywords

This research focuses on community and environment-centered sustainable development, community participation, environmental sustainability, tourism development, socio-economic impacts, challenges, opportunities, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. It investigates the role of community participation and environmental sustainability in promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism development in the region.

• Course: Doctoral
• Grade: A+
• Author: Dr. Dimithri Jayagoda (Author)
• Publication Year: 2014
• Pages: 281
• Catalog Number: V343640
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668389359
• ISBN (Book): 9783668389366
• Language: English
• Tags: capacity development, community based forest management, environmental security livelihoods, leadership, sustainable development, sustainable tourism.