NATIONAL PARKS: WHERE THE TIMELESS LANDSCAPE MEETS THE TOURIST TIME CLOCK

摘要

America's national parks were originally envisioned as a way to maintain timeless landscape treasures for the enjoyment of all Americans far into the future. But both the natural and built environments in the parks have changed over time. Since World War II, the national parks have become not only more accessible but also popular vacation spots and engines of rural economic development. The National Park Service has long faced the challenge of maintaining scenic landscapes, wildlife habitat, and wilderness areas while accommodating millions of short-term visitors. The Park Service is required to draft and update a General Management Plan for each park. In a temporal sense, the Park Service seeks to protect the timeless natural landscape from becoming overrun by a steady stream of tourists who are accustomed to living their lives by the clock and calendar. The risk is that the crowds will compel the Park Service to transform the natural environment of the parks by adding functional yet undistinguished buildings and miles of paved roads. This tension between short-term accessibility to the nation's natural wonders and a desire to keep those wonders pristine over the long run will continue to generate planning and architectural controversies.