Architectural Vision of Overtourism

This book explores the ways in which architecture and urban design can alleviate the adverse effects of mass tourism. It delves into the critical challenges posed by overcrowded urban centers, strained infrastructure, and the environmental repercussions stemming from an influx of tourists. By presenting innovative solutions and pragmatic strategies across diverse geographical and cultural contexts, this book significantly contributes to the creation of resilient and sustainable urban landscapes. In alignment with the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 11, the book aspires to cultivate a balanced synergy between tourism, urban development, and community well-being, ensuring a harmonious coexistence that supports the vitality and sustainability of urban environments. 

Vikas Chand Sharma is an Associate Professor at Chandigarh University and a researcher at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, with 13 years of experience in architectural design, urban planning, and research. He specializes in sustainable urban design for historic cities, developing implementable frameworks for resilient, inclusive, and culturally responsive development. His foundational research on religious spatial patterns and new urbanism was established in 2016, with more recent work appearing in the International Journal of Construction Education and Research, Journal of Architecture & Urbanism, and Landscape Research. He serves on the Scientific Committees for Contesti. Città, Territori, Progetti (University of Florence, Italy) and Anales de Investigación en Arquitectura (Universidad ORT Uruguay). He is also an Editorial Board Member for Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Cities (WSSET, UK) and Urbanie and Urbanus (U+U) of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design (HKIUD).

Dr. Sandeep Dua is a Professor in the Department of Architecture at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. He holds a PG Diploma in Urban Design from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and a PhD in Architecture from IIT Roorkee. His research interests encompass mathematics in architecture and urban form, history and theory of architecture and urban design. With a 30-year experience, Dr. Dua has published extensively on topics such as medieval domestic architecture, colonial and post-colonial architectural styles, and urban form and architecture. He has also undertaken research project funded by AICTE, New Delhi.

Dr. Pankaj Kumar Tyagi is an accomplished academician, researcher, and consultant. He is presently working as a professor at Chandigarh University, Mohali, India. He is an alumnus of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (Central University) and Kurukshetra University, India. He has more than 22 years of experience in the industry, teaching, training, consultancy, and expertise in destination management, travel process and disruptive technologies. He has published over 40 research papers in international journals indexed in the quality database and authored/edited 20 books. He is a reviewer for many international journals in tourism, management, and technology.

Dr. Elena Tarsi is an architect and has done Ph.D. in urban territorial and environmental planning. She is currently a researcher at the Department of Architecture of University of Florence where she is the coordinator of LabPSM—Laboratory City and territory in the Global South. She is also “collaborator researcher” at the Centre for Social Studies of University of Coimbra. Her research interests focus on informal settlements dynamics both in the Global South and the Global North. Recently, she has dealt with the impacts of climate change in cities and the role of cities and territories in the European Green Deal policies.