WALKING THE LINE
For many developing countries, tourism is a major part of their economy and a significant source of income and employment contributing towards complete growth and development to bring in numerous values and benefits. On the other hand, landscapes are being much appreciated for their special characters with interaction of natural and human influences over time becoming an integral part of the identity of the local communities. An amalgamation of both a high-quality landscape with facilities providing employment can strengthen local economies by attracting residents as well as tourists and be an important economic growth contributor.
Owing to these strategies, Millom becomes an interesting area of study. It is a town on the north shore of the estuary of the River Duddon and situated just outside the Lake District National Park. From varying topography to an extensive coastline; from an iron ore mining sphere which is today a major RSPB nature reserve to an artificial lagoon on its side, it holds these different landscapes qualities that add to the beauty of this historical location.
The project proposes a set of trails or routes arranged to connect these varied landmarks with their panoramic viewpoints and have stop-over facilities benefitting the employment process. They are designed based on seasonality for tourism to be booming all year.
The waterfront edge has the spotlight as all of the trails at some point are covering the walkway laid out between the sea and the artificial lagoon close to the nature reserve and the holiday village. This area is detailed to create interactions between the two water bodies that include different viewpoints, bird watching observation towers, floating wetlands and dense woodlands for habitats and human interaction activities like fish farming and water sport activities improving the quality of space and living.
