Island-Cabins An exploration of the meaning of recreational houses for hosts and visitors in tourism dependent natural regions, a case study on the Dutch Wadden island Vlieland S.P. Overheul Msc Architecture thesis June 2014 Explore-Lab graduation studio 2013-2014 Department of Architecture, TU Delft S.P. Overheul [s1538152]
[email protected] Main mentor, architectural design R. Nottrot Technical building design mentor Y. Cuperus Thesis mentor G. Verschuure-Stuip Commissioner board of examiners D. Vitner My dearest thanks to everyone who has contributed to this master thesis and graduation project as a whole: for their participation with the interviews and surveys, practical assistance, inspiration and moral support. On Vlieland, carrying out the qualitative research, November 2013 (S. Oudenaarden 2013) left: Vlieland in between the Wadden islands Texel and Terschelling Right: West Vlieland and the project location (Google earth 2014) Abstract A new large series of recreational dwellings in the forests on Dutch Wadden island Vlieland means that more visitors will be able to enjoy Vlieland and the local economy will benefit from the extra visitors, yet the experience of the island will also change. It is important to find out how Vlielanders as well as their visitors perceive recreational houses on Vlieland in order to make the changes that are caused by this project positive ones. This thesis project thus integrates two concepts from architecture/regional development and sociology: place-identity and sustainable tourism development. The meaning of recreational houses for people hosting tourism on Vlieland and visitors to the island was explored through a qualitative study consisting of interviews and questionnaires during the fall of 2013.