Application of Sustainable Architectural Design Principles to Enhance Ecotourism in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Architecture transcends all aspect of human endeavours including its relationship with place, culture, recreation, and nature/historic sites of a people which contributes to its tourism potentials. But ecotourism is sustainable enhances natural ecological attraction, their conservation and development through sustainable architectural planning frameworks. This paper aimed at exploring and enhancing the ecotourism potential of Agbokim and Kwa falls in Cross River State Nigeria as case studies through provision of attractive infrastructure and landscaping associated with architecture. The methodology of study used was qualitative case study method with the use of interviews, observations through visitation, and review of literature respectively. The analysis was carried out using inferential statistics in table for presentations. The study revealed that both Kwa falls and Agbakim waterfall sites in Cross River State, Nigeria was not fused with architecture, for development as attractive tourism and historic sites that can boost the tourism potential of any place. The study emphasized the need to develop and maintain these historic and nature-given sites using sustainable architectural design practices to enhance their ecotourism values/potentials that will attract millions of tourists to the sites and be recognized by World Tourism Organization (WTO) and UNESCO as tourist sites respectively.