Responsive environmental design for responsible tourism: project experience for resilient regeneration of S. Marko Island in Montenegro

The Mediterranean coastal zones and small islands are characterized by the great value of ecosystems and environmental heritage and human experience is one of the most critical barometers of the touristic success. In a perspective of sustainable development, it becomes necessary to stimulate the regenerative capacity of territories and their natural resources. This project has been developed for a small island in Montenegro, focusing mainly on the implementation of the resilience capacity and the environmental quality through the regeneration of the old structure of touristic village, the use of natural based solutions and the design of green infrastructure for sustainable and responsive tourism. The idea is to integrate different strategies to reach a sustainable and self-sufficient island, implementing NBS to manage natural resources [green and water], as well as introducing the responsive design of new green buildings and bungalows, investigating eco-technologies and re-cycling materials to improve building environmental performance and indoor comfort. The growing awareness in risk mitigation, referring the touristic/antropic pressure on the natural areas as well as architectural historical and cultural heritage, have helped to focus attention on vulnerabilities and the need to improve responsive architectural design maintaining the balance with the environment. The enhancement of material and immaterial resilience are the main drivers for adopting an holistic approaches. This is the new challenge: to promote the balanced life of the fragile coastal zone and natural places, ensure both environmental and social sustainability, implementing more effective regeneration actions of small touristic infrastructure and buildings.