Master Planning of Zoos - Central Zoo Authority

Strategic Planning
Sustainable Development
Proceedings of
Training Programme
Master Planning
of Zoos
• “The only permanence: change” Heraclitus
• “The best way to adapt to change is to be part of making it” Unknown
• “Principals of ecology: everything is connected and everything changes.” Coe
• “Sustainability depends upon strategically controlled change.” Coe
• “Entertainment is the engine which drives attendance.” Coe
• Novelty is the best means to renew attendance.” Coe
• “Those who think there is a difference between entertainment and education
don’t understand either one.” McLuan
Sustainable Development
Problem 1: Too little development – No growth
• Not enough to see and do at the zoo
• Nothing has changed, no reason to visit again
• Public attitude: “The zoo is a loser” (USA) – “Not worth our support”
• Attendance revenue drops
• Zoo can’t pay its bills
Problem 2: Too much development at one time
• Resources become exhausted
• Financial
• Human
• Community
• Nothing left to continue development
• After first two years people say “nothing has changed at the zoo, no reason
to visit again”
• Attendance revenue drops
• Zoo can’t pay its bills (especially debt service)
Problem 3: “It won’t be popular, but this is what we need to build”
• Attendance revenue stagnant or drops
• Zoo can’t pay its bills
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