Saving the Galápagos with clay models

What this episode covers

This academic paper investigates the rising challenge of overtourism in the Galápagos Islands and proposes a shift toward regenerative tourism. Using a methodology called "dancing with systems," researchers employed participatory 3D mapping and interviews to help local stakeholders visualise the complex forces driving unsustainable growth. The study utilizes the iceberg model to reveal how visible problems, such as infrastructure strain, are rooted in deeper system structures and mental models. By identifying these hidden layers, the authors highlight key leverage points—including better collaboration and transparency—to move beyond a purely economic growth paradigm. Ultimately, the source demonstrates how creative systems-thinking can empower communities to co-imagine and enact a more ecologically and socially balanced future.

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