A.6.   Design and construction of buildings and infrastructure:

• A.6.2.      respect the natural or cultural heritage surroundings in siting, design, impact assessment, and land  rights and acquisition;

Enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, historic, and natural assets of a destination as well as ensuring that built structures and operations do not negatively impact adjoining lands and people is an important factor. In particular, the land used for buildings and operations should be acquired respecting traditional rights and legislation. 

______________________________

Potential Indicators

•    Site plan has a documented design that takes into account meeting
     all GSTC criteria with specific emphasis on risk areas of impact
     associated with siting and design:                                                                                                                           

•    Design and construction reduce heating, cooling, lighting, and
     water consumption through passive design appropriate to local
     conditions, as well as active technology (list of passive and active
     design features)                                                                                                                                                        

•    Buildings with an emphasis on visual compatibility with the
      natural environment (explanatory text and illustrations)                                                                                            

•    Transportation and circulation with an emphasis on minimizing
      fossil-fuel consumption (list of features and methods)                                                                                             

•    Utility systems with an emphasis on: energy-efficient heating,
     cooling and lighting; water conservation; waste-water treatment;
     and solid waste management                                                                                                                                   

•    The reduction of on-site and off-site development impacts on air, water, and sound quality

6.2.1. Siting respects natural and cultural heritage surroundings

•    Archaeological, cultural heritage, and sacred sites have not been
        disturbed (inventory of sites and steps taken to protect them)                                                                                

•    Endangered wildlife has not been displaced or reproductive
        habitat destroyed (yes/no)                                                                                                                                     

•    Buildings do not destroy scenic beauty (photos of landscape
        profile before and after construction                                                                                                                      

•    Earth movements have been minimized
     (m3 of earth moved) / (m2 of construction)

•    Water courses have not been altered (water course map before and
        after construction) (yes/no)                                                                                                                                    

•    Runoff from buildings, parking lots, and grounds is channeled and
        filtered.                                                                                                                                                                  

•    Location of buildings not over water bodies and wetlands (yes/no)                                                                        

•    Location of buildings and roads not in designated ‘no-build’ zones
        (yes/no)                                                                                                                                                                 

•    Vegetation disturbance has been minimized and restored with
         native vegetation (m2 of disturbed vegetation); (text description
         & photos of restoration)                                                                                                                                       

•    Gardens, green areas, golf courses, and sporting fields use native
        vegetation where possible or grasses that are adapted to the local
        climate.

6.2.2. Design respects natural and cultural heritage surroundings

•    Existing historic and cultural buildings and landscapes have been
        restored, (yes/no)                                                                                                                                                   

•    Buildings use regional construction materials, as long as these are
        obtained sustainably (which materials; sources indicated)                                                                                   

•    New buildings reflect regional architectural vernacular
        (explanatory text or illustrations) and include regional art or crafts
        (photos)                                                                                                                                                                 

•    Existing structures have been adapted where possible (yes/no)

6.2.3. Natural and cultural impact has been assessed                                                                                                  

•    Environmental and social impact assessment has been completed
        (yes/no)                                                                                                                                                                 

•   Plans are in compliance with recommendations (documentation of
       compliance with recommendations)

6.2.4. Land rights and acquisition respect natural and cultural heritage                                                                       

•    Land acquisition is legal (Documentation of legal title or
        concession)                                                                                                                                                           

•    Land acquisition is in accordance with any applicable protected
        area or cultural heritage regulations (Compilation of applicable
        regulations and documented compliance with them) (Number of
        unresolved complaints by regulatory authorities.)                                                                                                 

•    Local residents have not been involuntarily removed from the
        land. (Report on number of previous inhabitants and agreements
        for sale or resettlement.)                                                                                                                                       

•    Where local communities or indigenous peoples have legal,
         traditional, collective, or customary rights over the possession and
         use of the land.                                                                                                                                                    

•    The parties affected have had the opportunity to accept or reject
         the proposed use (Documentation of procedures for community
         consultation)                                                                                                                                                        

•    Use for tourism has been authorized with the prior informed
         consent of the parties affected (Documentation of (a) number of
         meetings and attendance, (b) procedures for obtaining consent,
         and (c) authorization)                                                                                                                                           

•    Number of unresolved complaints by communities