Warren revitalization project : the use of eco-tourism and cultural landscapes to promote a sense of community and economic improvements in Warren County

The purpose of this creative project was to create a diffuse system of tourism destination nodes and corridors that have various niche uses throughout Warren County. This diffuse approach utilized an eco-tourism pattern language that allows for less strain and maximum benefits on natural resources and cultural heritage. Theoretical knowledge on assessing eco-tourism principles and interpreting cultural landscapes was used to assess significant resources in Warren County. The significant natural resources such as water resources, wildlife corridors, topographic features, and vegetation were inventoried and analyzed. Cultural histories of the Seneca, pioneer trading, industrial practices, and Amish lifestyles were interpreted. Current plans of development along the Allegheny riverfront, MusariumTM, Northwest Pennsylvania Greenways, and the Allegheny Wilds, were considered, adapted, and critiqued for their usefulness to tourism development in the county. The consideration of these current plans, coupled with the frameworks of Christopher Alexander's Pattern Language, interpretations of cultural landscapes, and current GIS technologies were used in the creation of general eco-tourism pattern language that was applied to tourism destination nodes, corridors, and activity centers in Warren County.The city of warren serves as the county's central destination hub, from which corridors connect destination nodes that extend radially from the city. The nodes consist of the Kinzua Reservoir, the town of Tidioute, Chapman State Park, Buckaloons-Cornplanter State Forest, and the towns of Akeley-Scandia. Each of these destination nodes will be developed to represent and emphasize specific sub-cultures historically found in that area.Department of Landscape ArchitectureThesis (M.L.A.