Authentic architecture and sustainable tourism development strategies.
Author
Mahdavinejad, Mohammadjavad.
Publisher
College of Arts and Social Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University.
English abstract
Conventional development strategies concentrated on modernization instead of development and there are lots of modernization plan for ancient cities and rural areas. Therefore one of the most controversial questions in planning for ancient cities or ancient rural areas is deciding how modern those may be? Ancient countries like Iran has lots of old districts which are in need of development. Regarding to hypothesis of the research authentic architecture of ancient cities is one of the most and influential attractions for tourism industry and sustainable tourism development strategies are in need of authentic approach to physical development plans for these historically valuable sites. The research questions are: 1- Is there any relationship between adoption of indigenous materials for restoration of valuable districts of ancient cities and level of tourist attraction? 2 Regarding to sustainable tourism development strategies, how should deal with adoption of building materials in restoration plans in historically valuable districts? To answer research questions 40 cases selected randomly from among the most important touristic sites in Iran. Twenty cases restored through adoption on modern materials and in twenty of them selected from among which restored through adoption of indigenous materials. Research team designed a questionnaire to examine level of satisfaction of visitors as well as their point of view regarding to these valuable districts. The results of the paper show that adoption of indigenous materials play a determining role in selection of place as a touristic destination which is in coordination to sustainable development goals and objectives.
