Abstract
The beach is a tourism offering on a global scale. It comprises a space through which economies derive income and through which recreational beach users derive pleasure. Beach litter generated by beach users is a global issue. Despite ongoing efforts to mitigate and to prevent it, it persists. This research approaches the problem of beach litter as being a behavioural one - a problem of beach littering. It aims to develop understanding of recreational beach user littering behaviour and to inform the future design of interventions to reduce it. In doing so, it is positioned at the intersection between domestic tourism, the beach environment and psychology (behaviour change), with user-centred design being pivotal.The research introduces and applies a novel methodological framework that blends the rigour and science of behaviour change theory with the creative problem solving benefits and adaptability of user-centred design. A tool intended for further application, the framework comprises a significant contribution to policy and practice. Its application in this research builds upon existing work to quantify the volume of beach litter and the numbers of beach users, by pursuing instead in-depth exploration of recreational beach user littering behaviour and its context. Using muti-method, qualitative enquiry through abductive reasoning, two study beaches are central to this localised approach. The perspectives, experiences and needs of the professionals responsible for managing the beaches are explored alongside those of the people using the same beaches recreationally.
Through a science underpinned, systematically executed process, this research presents new knowledge on 43 specific drivers of beach littering and its pro-environmental alternatives, waste removal and bin use. It further supports opportunities for implementation by mapping these onto 121 routes to behaviour change intervention design and delivery. This research offers new understanding of the value of the beach and the opportunities to sustain it.
| Date of Award | Nov 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Marian McLaughlin (Supervisor), Una McMahon-Beattie (Supervisor) & Susann Power (Supervisor) |
Keywords
- COM-B behaviour change wheel
- UCD
- behaviour change
- sustainability
- policy
- design thinking
- recreation
- tourism
- PEB
- environment
- green
- coast
- marine