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Description
Eco-tourism in Sabah is often correlated with richness in biodiversity and nature which includes rivers, forests, mountains and other natural environments. However, there is low recognition to the importance of eco-tourism architecture due to limitations of low impact design with functional compliances, especially with the restricted infrastructure. The buildings or structures at eco-tourism areas are absence of architectural design that represent the distinctiveness of the areas or the communities’ identities. In aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 11.4 to safeguard cultural heritage for sustainable cities, this paper aims to explore the potential to integrate vernacular heritage into eco-tourism architecture as a lifelong learning platform to support the sustainable development in Sabah.
This paper applies a qualitative approach based on published literature reviews, in addition to the comparative analysis of vernacular architecture in eco-tourism and heritage-based developments. Architectural components promote sustainability naturally but are often neglected on the potential as experiential learning tools in contemporary eco-tourism developments.
This paper examines traditional architectural elements such as raised floor, passive ventilation and spatial arrangement, that are incorporated with cultural knowledge and environmental adaptation over time. The findings show that vernacular architecture signifies a repository of knowledge and the potential functions as informal education, which responds to local climate, social practices and available resources.
The paper discusses how eco-tourism architecture can be reframed to integrate vernacular heritage as visible components of design in Sabah. It is expected that the built environment can serve as a platform for lifelong learning, which enables the users to view, learn and engage with cultural and environmental knowledge. The paper supports sustainable urban development by bridging past knowledge and adapting to the present needs and future environmental challenges in Sabah.
