2008-2009 University Scholar Profile
Tyler Guettler
Mentor: Tina Gurucharri
College of Design, Construction, & Planning
"I applied to the Scholars program for the opportunity to learn more about a small component within the field of landscape architecture, and to gain an understanding about the relationship between research and the art of reinventing, or rethinking. The opportunity to rethink and reinvent an outdated and inefficient way of life is an interesting matter for me. Unearthing a new way to live, one that views our surroundings as an asset rather than an obstacle is essential to our continuation as a species. Such an unearthing can be made possible through an alliance between design, sciences, and the one device that possesses the key to any progress, or regress, politics."
Courses of Study
Major
Landscape Architecture
Minor
Business Administration
Research Interests
Human activity and the environmental implications associated with our existence
Awards
- Three-year All-SEC Academic Honor Roll
- Presidents Honor Roll
- Recipient of the Gilkley, Rain Bird, and Thomas Cottingham Berry Awards
Volunteer Service / Organizations
- Played football at UF for the past three years, and was won two Outback Bowl rings and the Scout team player of the week; he looks forward to trying out for Team Florida next year
Hobbies/Activities
Fishing, hunting, golfing, building, working out, thinking, writing, and listening to music
Research Description
A Comparative Case Study of Ecotourism in Costa Rica: An Analysis and Implementation of Current Sustainable Practices
The intent of this project will be to identify, analyze, and enhance, or to establish the lack thereof, current parameters associated with the classification as a sustainable tourism operation. There are a significant number of companies who have exploited the growth of sustainable tourism in an unethical manner. As a result of this “green-washing”, the establishment of strategic, sustainable comprehensive development guidelines will play an important role in the future exploitation and conservation of our natural environment.
Two case studies will be conducted, one project in San Luis, Costa Rica, and another in Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica, which will investigate existing sustainable practices, while conceiving new specialized design and construction techniques. These newly conceived tactics will remain “of the place”, creating attractive, sustainable sites that become destinations for tourists of today and tomorrow interested in the opulence of Costa Rica’s culture and natural environment.
The idea would be to set precedents through proper design and implementation (focusing on cultural and natural resources, community-driven proposals, socioeconomic issues, etc.) for future tourism development.
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