Urban Architectural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism

Abstract

Tourism is an ancient phenomenon that has developed throughout time; it has changed from a source of entertainment to a source of national income. It reawakens societies culturally, intellectually, and artistically. As a result, developing tourism is a major issue in many countries. Tourist locations are divided into many types, including the archaeological locations that result in heritage tourism, which is considered to be one of the most important components of sustainable tourism. This research tackles an important issue: the absence of clear strategic policies that work on balancing the richness of the architectural and historical heritage in many countries, and the lack of efforts in achieving the optimum utilization of archaeological and heritage sites for developing heritage tourism. This research starts by emphasizing the importance of preserving urban and architectural heritage. Then, it moves to studying the policies used in preserving tourist locations. By applying the descriptive analysis method, it discusses the successful experiences of heritage tourism. Finally, it analyzes these experiences, reaching the conclusions and recommendations. The descriptive analysis method relies on an important research hypothesis; the ideal and efficient use of our cultural heritage is achieved by constructing sustainable restoration of archaeological and heritage sites to achieve sustainable heritage tourism. Everyone involved in investing in it, to enhance its tourist role, should do this. This research benefited from experiments in countries which possess a heritage, in deriving lessons, values and concepts that contribute in achieving an efficient program for the sustainable tourism development, which is based on preserving heritage in the old cities. It must balance between the society's needs, the available resources, the efforts of the executives and the city planning, all while protecting the environment.

Sustainable development of Urban conserved heritage: An analytical study of Kursunlu Mosque In Ulus, Ankara

“…6). Ulus also preserves its heritage to some extent in a sustainable way by applying rehabilation and refunctioning of many old buildings and creating open spaces, which meets the modern needs of todays users [18] (Table 1). In addition, similar to typical Ottoman cities, Ulus is also a layered settlement of Ankara, including mosaic and syntesis of different traces/stratas from many civilizations such as Phrygians (8th century BC), Galatians (3rd century BC), Romans (1st century BC), Byzantines (4th century), Seljuks (12th century), and Ottomans (14th century) [19].…”

Protection or Prevention - Conservation Policy and Planning Instruments for Adaptation of Historically Built Areas in Central Europe

“…In tourism, the strong association between people and the built environment is manifested [14]. It restores and preserves heritage and identity [18] in a manner which is characterized through non-rivalry and non-exclusiveness as it is open and available to all, both tourist and local [17].…”

“…[...] Raise awareness on the importance of the cultural, social, and economic value of caring architectural heritage preservation and its impact on domestic tourism" [15:94]. Also, through outside recognition it becomes more worthy of preservation to the locals [18]. The results are a clear economic benefit through soft location factors which raise property value and will assist in growing a cultural tourism segment [16].…”

“…However, the literature has identified limitations to the current approaches. Sustainability of these objects also means that they need to be adaptable to current needs, without irreparable damage for the future [14,18]. Physical alteration will be necessary [29].…”

Traditional Cultural Heritage vs. Film Sceneries: Evaluating the Degree of Sustainability of Cultural Landscapes

“…Cultural tourism is defined as "... that form of tourism whose object is, among other aims, the discovery of monuments and sites..." [1] and, consequently, the discovery of their cultural identity [2]. An increasingly greater demand of this form of tourism since the 1950s is contributing to the valuation, the promotion and, as a result, the preservation of the traditional cultural heritage [3]. However, the tourism industry is constantly evolving and so it does the profile of the tourist, who carries more tourism experiences and, consequently, demands new and more specific tourist products [4].…”