Descending Mountain Routes Future: the North Yungas and Făgăraș Geosystem's Comparative Study

Abstract

The Yungas region geographical position on the Eastern slopes of Cordillera Real and the Făgăraș Mountains East-West alignment generated unique Geosystems. A single gravel road links La Paz with Amazonia Boliviana: El Camino de la Muerte and only one road crosses the Făgăraș Mountains: the Transfăgărășan. Mountain roads networks are connecting communities and their resources all over the world. This research is adding value to the old mountain roads systems using the new technical Geography advances and transforming them in tourist sites. The cultural ecosystem services have a growing popularity that can be valorized for the locals benefits if managed accordingly. This paper focuses on the special descending sections identification and assessment for the mountain recreational activities development. The North Yungas and the Făgăraș areas represent unique Geosystems from the Bolivian Andes and the Romanian Mountains, analyzed using Geomedia techniques. Here we show that our Death Road model can securely allow tourist access, increase locals' livelihood and protect mountain environments. Our research results prove that the South American Geosystem`s unique attributes can constitute a functional reference for a considerable number of world`s mountain routes future sustainable development.

Geomedia`s Role in the Geosystem Development: Dracula`s Spatial Imaginaries in Romania

“…Geomedia synthetize all the information that connects different places illustration with coordinates and Geosystem`s characteristic data. All environmental elements are contributing to a geographical place's unique personality, which is spatially developed as a Geosystem, defined by common and unique attributes (Voda & Montes, 2018).…”

“…The considerable achievement of the Airbnb's locations for example, is largely a product of new business models afforded by a better visualized Geosystem (Voda & Montes, 2018). Once validated by excellent ratings, the Geosystem's virtual image might attract more visitors, transforming the locals into superhosts, thereby increasing their revenue (Wang & Nicolau, 2017;Liang et al, 2017;Gunter, 2018).…”

“…This article will explore how the use of Geomedia techniques contributes to the place-making efforts of any Geosystem, possibly creating real value as it develops. Geomedia can also become the ultimate type of advertising, with world-wide impact, without the costs typically incurred via expensive, professional and/or governmental marketing efforts (Gupta et al, 2018;Voda & Montes, 2018).…”

Mountain Tracks Development Methodology for Adventure Recreation Activities in Gurghiu Mountains, Romania

“…This paper examines the mountain forest trails potential for organized leisure activities development in Gurghiu Mountains. Studies show that mountain biking will increase in the future due to the new technological advances in electric propulsion and smartphone/GPS orientation devices (Pröbstl-Haider et al, 2018;Voda & Montes, 2018;Ernawati et al, 2018;Gupta et al, 2018).…”

“…Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Western Austria opened their forests for mountain bikers, encouraging summer tourism development as a feasible alternative to winter season sports (Pröbstl-Haider et al, 2018;Hardiman & Burgin, 2013). This innovative approach makes it possible to analyse the entire Gurghiu Mountains gravel roads network as a functional Geosystem with common and unique attributes given by the various morphometric characteristics, environmental factors and changing climate conditions (Gupta et al, 2018;Voda & Montes, 2018) and by a quantitative approach (Haidu, 2016). Further, this article contributes to the forest trails classification system, elaborating an efficient assessment methodology that can be securely applied in any natural environment for recreational activities development.…”