The Power of Place: Sustaining the Future of Destinations
I was reading an article in the Historical Houses Trust magazine in Sydney this month about the fabulous network of trams which operated in Sydney until 1961. It is reported that in its day the Sydney tram network was the largest in the Commonwealth outside of London, and was much loved by Sydney commuters. However progress (represented by a strong lobby of the auto industry) took its toll and in the late 1950s the tram network was scrapped despite a large demonstration by the public at the time to save the trams.
Sound familiar? Around the same time some of Sydney’s most treasured buildings were up for demolition in The Rocks area, as well as the Queen Victoria Building. Fortunately strong union action at the time saved them (thank God).
Much of course is destroyed with no protest at all as we ‘progress and grow’. It’s often only when we look back that we lament that which has passed and which our children and their children will never know, or wonder at, or share. In fact in the past 100 years, during which time the world’s population has more than quadrupled, we have ‘consumed’ more of nature’s bounty than all of our predecessors had in all of history, and the destruction of the natural environment, local cultures and heritage sites continues apace. Frankly it is scary. I feel like we’re hurtling toward a brick wall at 100 km/hr with no brakes.
With this backdrop the team at whl.travel has partnered up with the National Geographic Centre for Sustainable Destinations and Ashoka to support the 2009 Geotourism Challenge.
We are trying to indentify organisations doing great things to retain the “Power of Place” – sustaining the future of destinations for future generations. This is not just to celebrate the innovation and commitment of the people and organisations involved but most importantly to provide a window on ways we can all play a role to save what is left.
So please, join in. Put forward any initiatives out there you have seen which you think we all need to know about.
You Are Here: Home » Opinions, whl.travel » The Power of Place: Sustaining the Future of Destinations
A combination of editor writings and carefully curated articles from around the web. Make Travel Fair was established in 2006 and has received multiple awards for its thoughtful approach towards travel and the way we experience the world... More
The Power of Place: Sustaining the Future of Destinations
I was reading an article in the Historical Houses Trust magazine in Sydney this month about the fabulous network of trams which operated in Sydney until 1961. It is reported that in its day the Sydney tram network was the largest in the Commonwealth outside of London, and was much loved by Sydney commuters. However progress (represented by a strong lobby of the auto industry) took its toll and in the late 1950s the tram network was scrapped despite a large demonstration by the public at the time to save the trams.
Sound familiar? Around the same time some of Sydney’s most treasured buildings were up for demolition in The Rocks area, as well as the Queen Victoria Building. Fortunately strong union action at the time saved them (thank God).
Much of course is destroyed with no protest at all as we ‘progress and grow’. It’s often only when we look back that we lament that which has passed and which our children and their children will never know, or wonder at, or share. In fact in the past 100 years, during which time the world’s population has more than quadrupled, we have ‘consumed’ more of nature’s bounty than all of our predecessors had in all of history, and the destruction of the natural environment, local cultures and heritage sites continues apace. Frankly it is scary. I feel like we’re hurtling toward a brick wall at 100 km/hr with no brakes.
With this backdrop the team at whl.travel has partnered up with the National Geographic Centre for Sustainable Destinations and Ashoka to support the 2009 Geotourism Challenge.
We are trying to indentify organisations doing great things to retain the “Power of Place” – sustaining the future of destinations for future generations. This is not just to celebrate the innovation and commitment of the people and organisations involved but most importantly to provide a window on ways we can all play a role to save what is left.
So please, join in. Put forward any initiatives out there you have seen which you think we all need to know about.
Copyright © 2012 Make Travel Fair UK