Tourism and the Shifting Architectural Typologies

Tourism is an increasingly large industry in every big city and many smaller ones in the world. Many places in the world heavily rely on tourism to support their economies, leading to a culture of catering to tourists. Tourists are prioritized in many ways by local lawmakers but in less direct ways by the built environment. Existing buildings are manipulated to meet current needs, while new developments center around curb appeal, short term living, and proximity to city centers.

Retrofitting existing buildings to meet current housing needs and requirements is the most economical and environmentally friendly approach to development. The issue lies within the approach to the retrofit. Tourism creates a demand for short term housing, often in the form of Airbnbs or similar rental platforms. This demand allows for an increase in rent prices, and when coupled with decreased long term rental or owning opportunities, prices locals out of their homes. These rental properties also often cater to a different type of living and prioritize profit maximization, leading to much smaller and less practical units. 

In smaller developing cities, new developments pop up quickly around the center. These developments often differ from the existing architectural typologies in favor of increased density, minimal cost, and repeatability. These developments also feature smaller units, not suitable for longer term rental or larger families. As they lie outside of the main city center they often do not have to match the architectural language of the existing historical buildings. This quickly changes the urban fabric of the city and community in favor of profiting off tourists. 

These oversights on housing are deeply harmful to local communities and architectural integrity. Short term housing does not meet the needs of those who are in need of real housing at affordable rates. Putting the existing community first is paramount to the long term success of the tourism industry.

Works Cited

R, Namita. “The Architecture of Tourism – RTF | Rethinking the Future.” Rethinking the Future, www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1493-the-architecture-of-tourism/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026. 

“The Architecture of Tourism: Decoding the Built Environment of Trav…” The Architecture of Tourism: Decoding the Built Environment of Travel and Leisure, Association Via@, 12 June 2025, journals.openedition.org/viatourism/12643.