Geotourism
Aboulghasem Taghizadfanid; Monir Moghanni Jansouz
Abstract
IntroductionThe development of urban tourism has been considered by tourism planners and city managers due to its various economic, social, cultural and environmental effects. Following the growth of urbanization, cities are becoming one of the main pillars of the world's commercial economy.Materials ...
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IntroductionThe development of urban tourism has been considered by tourism planners and city managers due to its various economic, social, cultural and environmental effects. Following the growth of urbanization, cities are becoming one of the main pillars of the world's commercial economy.Materials and methodsIn this regard, the role of public participation in the development and improvement of urban tourism should be considered. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between people's participation in tourism development in Tabriz. The present research is an applied descriptive-survey method based on a questionnaire. The statistical population of the citizens of Tabriz is considered. The sample size was determined according to Cochran's formula of 384 people and was performed by available random sampling method.Result and discussionThe results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the two variables of economic participation and tourism development and with a correlation value of 0.632 and close to 1, it has a high correlation compared to other variables. Also, there is a positive and significant relationship between the two variables of environmental participation and tourism development and with a correlation value of 0.288, it was found that these two variables have a low correlation with each other. On the other hand, there is a negative relationship between the two variables of socio-cultural participation and tourism development and with a correlation value of 0.102, it was found that these two variables have a low correlation with each other.ConclusionAs a result, economic participation has a more important role in the development of tourism in Tabriz compared to environmental participation and socio-cultural participation. Thus, providing a recognition of the priority levels of participation of the host community in tourism development is a research innovation compared to other studies.
Urban Planning
Alireza Novin; Karim Hossienzadeh Dalir; Mohammad Reza Pourmohammadi
Abstract
Introduction Since the second half of the twentieth century, the tourism industry is known as the third economic industry due to the globalization and development of modern transportation and communication means (Oila et al., 2012: 596). Therefore, in 2005, the World Bank considered this industry a dynamic ...
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Introduction Since the second half of the twentieth century, the tourism industry is known as the third economic industry due to the globalization and development of modern transportation and communication means (Oila et al., 2012: 596). Therefore, in 2005, the World Bank considered this industry a dynamic industry by creating 214 million job opportunities and producing 10.5% of the global GDP (Choi and Sir Kaya, 2006: 127). Furthermore, in the past decades, cities were considered as one of the most significant tourism destinations among tourists (Edvard et al., 2008: 1032), following which, urban tourism was investigated by many scholars (Potof, 2006:15). The historical-cultural contexts in the cities make these centers one of the main tourism destinations. The old and ancient context of the cities has an exclusive place in the urban space and functional structure due to the historical value and historically valuable elements, the proper transportation position, and location in the city’s main bazaar and its economic core, etc. (Pourahmad et al., 2010: 74). Considering the architectural, social, and environmental conditions of the city, the historical centers indicate a community's social and cultural life (Moosavi, 2011: 111). The Iranian cities with the historical- traditional contexts, are considered the undeniable fact that enjoys a historical background; an element and area of the city that lived not a long time ago and welcomed the travels and material and spiritual exchanges of people back then (Habibi, 2010:55). Since the economy of the historical center of the city is formed and revived by tourism activities, the regeneration of the historical centers and bringing back the superior and excellent functions to these spaces is necessary with respect to the regeneration approach (Azimi et al., 2011: 76). Regeneration has been emerged as a response to the reduction of urban issues and is applied in the areas that are being destroyed (Egercioglu et al., 2015: 330). Nowadays, due to the lack of urban life, most of the historical contexts of Iran are being demolished.
Methodology The current study is applied in terms of purpose and analytical-descriptive in terms of nature. The data collection method is also the documentary-survey method. By studying the research literature and the relevant texts to the regeneration of the cultural-historical texture, the considered criteria were extracted. Then, the effect of the functional-space variables of the regeneration of the cultural-historical context in the tourism development was gathered using the survey method (distributing questionnaire). Using the Friedman Ranking Test, One-sample T-test (to prioritize the study indicators and their effectiveness in the tourism development), and Multivariate regression tests and path analysis (to evaluate and predict the effects of indicators in the tourism development in the future as well as the direct and indirect effects of the functional-space indicators of the regeneration in the tourism development), the impact of the functional-space variables of the regeneration of the historical-cultural context in tourism development was evaluated. Also, to calculate the data reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was used for its popularity, and the alpha coefficient was obtained at 0.756. It is noteworthy that the statistical population of research consists of the managers and experts of the urban issues of District 8 and other municipalities of Tabriz Metropolitan (1400). The sample size was obtained 220 using Cochran’s formula p=q=0.5 and an error value of 0.06 (d). The results obtained from data analysis show that the most functional-space impacts of the regeneration of the historical-cultural context on urban tourism development are as follows: conservation and restoration of the historical area (conservation of the valuable body and facades, restoration and reconstruction of the entrance gates), restoration of the man structure of the historical center (the main squares, streets, symbolic buildings, etc.); the use of the proper materials and colors regarding the texture, increasing the safety in context and historical buildings with the numerical average of 4.73, 4.54, and 4.37, and the ordinal average of 19.63, 17.43, and 16.07, respectively. The Chi-square test also indicates the correlation of the studied variables at the confidence level of 99%. Multivariate regression method was used to identify and predict the functional-space impact of the regeneration of the historical-cultural context on the urban tourism development. According to R or multiple correlation coefficient in the Table below, it can be said that there is a considerable correlation between the variables. R Square or determination coefficient is the squared correlation coefficient that indicates the variance and the variations of the dependent variable by a set of independent variables. The value of this coefficient is also between zero to 1 variable. The more it declines towards 1, it indicates that the independent variables have been able to explain a large amount of variance of the dependent variable. According to the above, the value of the determination coefficient value is acceptable in the present equation as it indicates the variance of the dependent variable. On the other hand, based on its value, it can be said that it can explain the variance of the dependent variable to a great extent. Adjusted R square in the Table below indicates that 6 variables are appropriate in this model to evaluate the functional-space impacts of the regeneration of the historical-cultural context on urban tourism development. For example, the adjusted coefficient value in improving the quality of the space organization and physical structure of the context explains 90% of the urban tourism development, and the rest of these variations is the result of the external factors of the model, known as the square error. Discussion and Conclusion District 8 of Tabriz Municipality, as the old and historical area of Tabriz Metropolitan, must be considered as a symbol to preserve the Iranian and Islamic culture and civilization and history of Tabriz and Iran due to the historical mosques and buildings as well as the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz with the age of more than thousands years. To improve the cultural-historical spaces in line with urban tourism development, nowadays, the regeneration of the contexts plays a significant and influential role. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the functional-space impacts of the regeneration of the historical-cultural context on urban tourism development. The results indicate that improving the quality of the space organization and physical structure of the texture, the organization of the land uses of the area considering its function and role, and development of green public transportation are the most significant functional-space impacts of the regeneration of the cultural-historical context of Tabriz metropolitan on the urban tourism development. Also, the secondary indicators affecting the urban tourism development influenced by the functional-space impact of regeneration are as follows: physical conservation and restoration of the historical area, the restoration of the main structure of the historical texture, the use of the materials and colors in proportion with the texture, increasing the safety in context and historical buildings. Therefore it can be said that the regeneration of the historical-cultural context with an emphasis on the functional-space indicators is the influential factor in the urban tourism development of Tabriz Metropolitan, leading to improving the place and quality of the environment of the historical neighborhoods in the vicinity of Bazaar through directing the interventions in two external (urban edges) and internal (residential structure) levels to attract the tourist, establishing a physical-space and communication relationship between the neighborhoods and the commercial centers and creating the walking paths for tourists’ access to the commercial centers and tourism elements, activating the internal core by creating the new activities and spaces and not merely restoration of some buildings to specify the indicators of the tourism elements, creating the compatibility between the activities with respect to the context and tourism development, and completing the infrastructural network and tourism infrastructures. The regeneration cannot be realized depending on the measures of the public sector and to achieve sustainability and development of urban tourism due to the regeneration of the studied texture, the participation of the private and public sector along with the public sector is one of the most important strategies to achieve success in this field. Comparison of the research results with other studies indicates that the most similar research to the current research is a research conducted by Tissel (1996) and Gominska (2015) that addressed restoration strategies of the historical contexts to achieve sustainability in terms of different indicators. Other conducted studies either described the features and issues of cultural and heritage tourism or addressed historical tourism quality in different places.
Urban Planning
sara mirzaei; Ali Zanghiabadi
Abstract
Introduction Existence of urban facilities and infrastructures is one of the effective factors in creating a happy city because without leisure spaces, public spaces where people are present and communication is increased and without cultural, educational, health, Sports facilities and services, ...
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Introduction Existence of urban facilities and infrastructures is one of the effective factors in creating a happy city because without leisure spaces, public spaces where people are present and communication is increased and without cultural, educational, health, Sports facilities and services, as the basic needs of the citizens, a happy city cannot be created. Tourism is also one of the most important areas of life that creates happiness and therefore overall life satisfaction. Therefore, in this study, an attempt is made to study the urban development indices related to tourism, to determine the status of Shiraz city in terms of these indices as effective indicators in creating a happy city. Shiraz Urban development has taken a linear form and the location of urban land use has been largely inappropriate and out of science. Shiraz, as the international tourism counter, the third shrine of Ahl al-Bayt, and as the third Iranian tourist city, needs dynamic, happy and vital citizens. Happy citizens have a better interaction with tourists and pilgrims, thereby increasing their satisfaction and attracting more tourists. Since the most important step in development planning as well as the realization of a happy city is to reduce imbalances and inequality, it will be possible to diagnosis the direction and type of development by determining the degree of development of each of the urban zones of Shiraz. Research questions are: 1. How is the development status of Shiraz zones in terms of the indicators that are effective in achieving the happy city? 2. What are the Priority variables affecting the balance of urban space?A happy city is a city with a high quality of life that is the result of meeting the needs of inhabitants in the best possible way and tourism is one of the most important areas of life that creates happiness and thus overall life satisfaction. In the new geography, justice and injustice cannot be confined to measuring economic inequalities, because space is a fundamental dimension of human society, and justice and injustice appear in space. Environmental justice is equality of people by their needs, abilities, efforts and impact on the production of society, so it is treated equally with all residents wherever they live. In urban planning, the physical-spatial distribution of urban elements and services is balanced and commensurate with the needs of citizens in each neighborhood and urban area. Harvey has identified need as the most important criterion of justice. The basic needs that are nowadays called essential services in urban planning and management can be the basis for measuring spatial justice. In order to achieve balance and equilibrium in each city, studies are needed to identify the current status of the city and to resolve failures, deprivation, and equitable distribution of facilities and services. This can be a step towards making the city happy. One of the most important theories that relates place to happiness is the need / livability theory. This theory considers happiness as a result of objective living conditions and meeting needs, and states that improved objective conditions such as urban and physical or economic conditions will lead to greater happiness. Many cities are not livable, because of city problems such as poverty and crime; but even successful cities are not livable in many ways. There is also lack of nature and recreational spaces in cities. Finally, most people cannot afford good housing, especially in the largest cities. Others live somewhere on the fringes and commute long hours. Commuting is the worst thing that reduces happiness. Large cities are less livable than smaller ones. More precisely, cities are less acceptable to most people; the rich can afford a good life in a city. Therefore, access to urban amenities and services is an important factor in the livability of cities and the happiness of citizens. In some cases, when basic needs are met, more money does not bring more happiness. Likewise, spending is a poor way to buy much more happiness. So how can lasting happiness be achieved? We need to buy experiences (e.g., holidays, recreation centers), not things (e.g., a luxury home or car). According to this theory, leisure spaces for people and tourists should be created and city facilities and infrastructures should be balanced at city level, especially in big cities. Methodology The present study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of method. The Modified Numerical Taxonomy, WASPAS & MABAK methods were used for statistical analysis. Softwars used for data analysis included WASPAS, Taxonomy Solver, Excel and Arc GIS. In this study, urban land uses and services have been studied. Results & Discussion Based on the taxonomy analysis based on all the indices studied, it was found that none of the Shiraz zones were included in the developed level. Zones 8 & 1 are relatively developed. Zones 2, 3, 6 and 10 are in the third level, i.e. relatively deprived. Zones 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11 are in the lowest level and are among the deprived areas in terms of Indicators of urban development in related to tourism. In general, whether we move away from the city center, the zones become deprived. The zones around zone 8 are in the higher ranks, Then, the northern and southern zones are in the lower ranks, respectively. Conclusion The results showed that the Shiraz is not in a good condition in terms of physical characteristics of urban development and tourism infrastructure. Distributive justice for different land uses has not been regarded and most of them are concentrated in some urban zones. In fact, the lack of proper distribution of urban land uses and their concentration in some areas, especially in the central part of the city, has caused the zones to be in poor condition for all indicators and therefore none of the zones are in good condition.
Geotourism
hassan esmaeilzadeh; Mostafa Haraeeni Haraeeni; mehrdad bahrami
Volume 22, Issue 66 , January 2019, , Pages 1-21
Abstract
Tourism is a service industry which is mainly affected by the quality of services. Moreover, it can be stated that quality of services and tourists satisfaction are important factors in tourism planning, getting to which may help develop tourism. In this study it is intended to evaluate satisfaction ...
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Tourism is a service industry which is mainly affected by the quality of services. Moreover, it can be stated that quality of services and tourists satisfaction are important factors in tourism planning, getting to which may help develop tourism. In this study it is intended to evaluate satisfaction level of tourism from the quality of catering services in Darakeh restaurants in Tehran based on SERVQUAL model. Research method is based on a descriptive-analytic method in this study. In this study library documents and filed studies (including observation, interviewing, and questionnaire) were data gathering tools. Data reliability was assessed by calculating Cronbach alfa to be 0.826 and data validity was assessed using content validity method (according to dear professors). Descriptive and inferential statistical tests (Wilcoxon and Pearson tests) were used for data analysis. Study statistical society included tourists who have used services of Darakeh restaurants and sample size was calculated using Cochran formula with random sampling. Results of study based on five qualities of service dimensions of SERVQUAL method, showed that highest and lowest gaps are observed in empathy dimensions with 0.77 quality difference and tangibles with 0.08 quality difference, respectively. Additionally, the relation between level of education and different dimensions of quality of services were assessed by means of Spearman Correlation Coefficient and a negative significant relationship was observed between income level and overall quality of service at 99 percent level.
Urban Planning
Abolfazl Ghanbari; Mohammad Abbaszadeh; Samira Hashemiamin
Abstract
The growth of urban tourism in different parts of the world and Iran has satisfied part of leisure activity and need of citizens. Therefore, it is an important part of urban management planning. Understanding tourist behavior can help planning and performance, increasing procedure of urban tourism. One ...
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The growth of urban tourism in different parts of the world and Iran has satisfied part of leisure activity and need of citizens. Therefore, it is an important part of urban management planning. Understanding tourist behavior can help planning and performance, increasing procedure of urban tourism. One of the important factors affecting of tourist behavior is tourist satisfaction that is rooted in the destination image, tourist attitude and tourist motivation. In this research using structural equation modeling relationships between variables in zones 2 and 8 of Tabriz during summer of 2015 is reviewed and paths are tested. AMOS and SPSS software is used in this research. This research is applied and analyzing and questionnaires are used for data collection. Cochran method is used for sample size determination and Chronbach’s alpha has tested the validity and reliability testing of the questionnaire. Results showed that destination image, tourist attitude and motivation have a significant effect on their satisfaction and tourist satisfaction significantly influences on their future behavior. The path coefficient of tourist attitude on tourist satisfaction is 0.599 and is more than twice of the destination image and tourist motivation effect on satisfaction. Effect of the destination image is 0.314 and more than an effect of tourist motivation on tourist satisfaction. Tourist satisfaction has considerable effect on their future behavior with a path coefficientof 1.222.
Geotourism
M. Taghvaei; fatemeh jalalian
Abstract
Evaluation of climate comfort and the suitable days for recreational walking in urban areas is a significant aspect of successful planning aimed at promoting the urban tourism industry. Khuzestan is a vast province in Iran with very high tourism potentials as well as climatic variety, and can be regarded ...
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Evaluation of climate comfort and the suitable days for recreational walking in urban areas is a significant aspect of successful planning aimed at promoting the urban tourism industry. Khuzestan is a vast province in Iran with very high tourism potentials as well as climatic variety, and can be regarded as a tourism pole in Iran. This study aims to use the Equivalent Physiological Model for determining the number of climate comfort days in Khuzestan Province. To this end, the mean values of the daily data provided by eight synoptic meteorological stations during a ten year period (2000-2009) were used. Four meteorological factors were considered: dry air temperature, relative humidity, cloudiness, and wind velocity. The following cities were studied: Abadan, Ahvaz, Behbahan, Dezful, Iezeh, Masjed-e Soleiman, Ramhormoz, and Shustar. Upon feeding the mean data obtained for these cities to Rayman, the number of climatically suitable days for recreational walking in each city were determined. Upon taking into account the periods with negligible high- and low-temperature stresses, the output obtained from the computer model indicated that Iezeh with 168 climate comfort days was the most suitable city for accomodating tourists; followed by Masjed Soleiman (139 days), Ahvaz (130 days), Shushtar and Abadan (128 days), Behbahan (124 days), Ramhormoz (119 days), and Dezful (116 days). The results also showed that between late November and late March, Khuzestan Province would generally provide climatically favorable conditions for the visiting tourists.
