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overview of research in the physical environment
with respect to tourism.)
Pigram, J.J. �1980) `Environmental implications of
tourism development', Annals of Tourism Research
7�4): 554±83. �An overview of tourism and
environmental issues, giving explicit recognition
to the ways in which tourism can maintain or
enhance the environment.)
The Journal of Sustainable Tourism provides many
accounts of environmentally compatible and
related tourism approaches.
JOHN M. JENKINS, AUSTRALIA
environmental education see education,
environmental
environmental engineering
Environmental engineering can be considered
from two points of view. In one sense, this is
concerned with the application of engineering
principles and practices to the sustainable
development of resources and the management
of environmental quality. This approach
aims to bring an engineering perspective to the
management of the environment. It might be
seen as the reaction of practitioners to the
alternative of seeking resolution of environmental
issues through political means, negotiation, social
impact analysis and the like. However, some would
be critical of what could be termed strictly
structural solutions for environmental problems.
In another and more general sense, environmental
engineering is seen as not about `engineering
the environment' for the better, but about
overlaying such a perspective to all engineering
practice. In this sense, the concept has much in
common with environmental planning �see planning,
environmental) in that it imposes an
environmental discipline and orientation on the
profession of engineering. Whereas such a refinement
in approach might be seen as desirable, it is
more realistic to assume that the focus of environmental
engineering will remain on the creation of
innovative �engineering) solutions to existing or
potential environmental problems. Such solutions
environmental engineering 197
must not merely `work' in the technical sense, they
must satisfy legislative requirements, be costeffective
and be acceptable to the community.
A key focus is cleaner production processes,
supported by minimisation of solid, liquid and
gaseous wastes associated with modern, diversified
manufacturing industry. A second concern is the
consideration of biophysical and sociocultural
environmental issues in the design, operation and
management of industrial processes.
The relevance of environmental engineering to
tourism, in both a proactive and a reactive sense, is
clear. Environmental engineers consider the environment
at the design stage of tourism development.
They can then act to reduce the effects of
touristic activities on the surrounding natural and
human setting and thus mitigate or eliminate
potential environmental concerns. Tourism projects
which incorporate the skills and perspective of
environmental engineering recognise the need to
create a functionally effective development, but one
which will operate with respect for environmental
and social sensitivities, and in keeping with the
expectations of a more demanding regulatory
regime and a more environmentally aware society.
Particular aspects of tourism development which
benefit from the input of environmental engineering
are in selection of materials, design, management
of wastes, air and water quality, noise
reduction and the conservation of energy and
water.
See also: codes of ethics, environmental;
environmental compatability; environmental
management systems
JOHN J. PIGRAM, AUSTRALIA
environmental impact see impact,
environmental
environmental legislation see legislation,
environmental