Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Associate Professor Of Urban Design in University of Hamadan Bu-Ali Sina University, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Hamadan, Iran
2
Urban Design, Art And Architecture, Buali Sina, Hamedan, Iran
10.22034/gp.2026.71510.3517
Abstract
This study aims to analyze stakeholder perception gaps regarding sustainable tourism-led regeneration in the historic Oudlajan neighborhood of Tehran. It examines differences in the perceptions of three key stakeholder groups—residents, tourists, and urban experts/managers—across the principal dimensions of sustainable tourism regeneration and identifies the dimensions with the greatest perceptual disparities. It also evaluates the degree of convergence and divergence among stakeholders’ perceptions in the economic, socio-cultural, physical-spatial, environmental, and managerial dimensions to provide practical implications for improving regeneration policies.
This applied study adopts a descriptive–analytical design with a quantitative approach. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. Based on Cochran’s formula, a sample of 384 respondents was selected, including 220 residents, 100 tourists, and 64 urban experts/managers. Simple random sampling was used for residents, convenience sampling for tourists, and purposive sampling for experts and managers. Data were analyzed using SPSS through the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests, the Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s rank correlation, exploratory factor analysis, and exploratory multiple regression analysis.
The findings indicate statistically significant differences in stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainable tourism regeneration. The largest perception gaps were found in the economic (χ² = 10.41, p = 0.005) and socio-cultural (χ² = 8.92, p = 0.012) dimensions, whereas no significant difference was observed in the environmental dimension (p = 0.176), suggesting relatively strong perceptual convergence. Differences among stakeholder groups were primarily associated with perceived economic benefits and the social impacts of regeneration.
The results demonstrate that the main challenge of sustainable tourism regeneration in Oudlajan stems from stakeholder perception gaps rather than deficiencies in any single dimension. Strengthening participatory mechanisms, promoting integrated governance, and adopting balanced regeneration strategies can reduce perception gaps, enhance stakeholder consensus, and improve the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of tourism-led regeneration in historic urban districts.
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