Landscape Design for Coastal Ecotourism of Jati Beach, North Sipora Island, Mentawai West Sumatera

Abstract

Coastal area in Mentawai Islands has natural diversity ranging from coral reefs, great waves for surfing and the beauty of the beaches. However, facilities, infrastructure and human resources are still limited. Facilities and infrastructure are the most important things in developing a tourism. This research was conducted to determine the character of the landscape, potentially of constraints and analysis of user behaviour, perception and provide design recommendations for ecotourism development on Jati Beach in North Sipora Island. The method used the physical-biophysical, social, economic, cultural, tourism, oceanography, and conservation approach aspects using quantitative and qualitative descriptive analysis. The basic concept of the site is Arsa Metarpa is an extension of Arat Sabulungan and 3 principles of nature conservation efforts in Mentawai, metanoia, catharsis, and paripatia which are adaptations of the Mentawai indigenous beliefs in preserving the environment to develop aspects of conservation, education and recreation. The resources are flat landforms, typical Jati beach plants such as Barringtonia and pes-caprae coastal plants formation. The design concept that applied in the site is transformation from one of the symbols of the Mentawai, jaraik. Jaraik is a traditional element of Mentawai, commonly used in uma’ as welcoming. Its distinctive shape is transformed into the circulation pattern and the pattern of landscape elements in the site. The output of this research is limited to the landscape design phase, with the final product as site plan and other supporting technical drawings that can be used in design reference in the landscape of the ecotourism coastal in Jati beach.