Transformation of Historic Neighborhoods: How Tourism Is Changing the Historic Center of Kashan, Iran

This paper develops the theory of liminality as a guideline for revitalising disused urban fabrics in historic cities. Since Middle Eastern historic cities exist as a transitional phenomenon, spatial liminality is identified as an epistemological tool for their investigation. This paper sets up a mixed-method approach based on questionnaire surveys and field studies in twelve urban blocks in historic Yazd and Kashan. Using an interpretive historical study, it is verified that, during the premodern eras, spatial liminality has been synonymous with the formation of sense of place/citizenship, mainly generated as a result of the existence of in-between spaces in historic cities, which, in turn, could have facilitated the rites of passage for residents. In a quantitative layer, the correlation between dilapidated abandoned buildings (DABs) (i.e., disused urban fabrics) and sense of place/citizenship is investigated in case studies, which unfolds associations that lack of sense of place amongst local communities could convey to the meaning of spatial liminality. The analysis demonstrates DABs are associated with lack of spatial liminality, contributing to the breakdown of sense of community identification/place. Therefore, DABs need to be reutilized while maintaining their heritage values. The discourse identifies in-between spaces that once facilitated spatial liminality and demonstrates a guideline for revitalising historic cities. This study put forward a theoretical contribution that enables the use of spatial liminality to guide the understanding and management of historic cities.

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Authenticity- and Sustainability-Based Failure Prevention in the Post-Conservation Life of Reused Historic Houses as Tourist Accommodations: Award-Winning Projects from Isfahan City

Tavakoli,

Tumer

2024

Sustainability

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This study underscores the crucial role of architectural education and oversight in managing reused historic houses as tourist accommodations in a sustainable manner. It employs a unique methodology to establish authenticity and sustainability principles in conservation and tourism development, specifically in the reused accommodation business, and to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of current practices in Iran. Focusing on two reused houses in Isfahan City, which were honored in the conservation category of the Memar Awards, the most prestigious Iranian architecture award, this study assesses and contrasts their post-conservation life under the influence of architect and non-architect managers. Data were collected through on-site observations, documentation reviews, and questionnaires and then evaluated using a mixed-methods approach that complies with the criteria set by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). This study’s findings both emphasize the significance of management’s impact on preserving and enhancing conservation outcomes and identify the primary factors contributing to the unsustainability and failure of this project in Iran. As a result, a model has been developed for a successful project of this type to preserve the values of cultural heritage buildings and their surroundings, if effectively implemented. This model applies to similar cases in different contexts, making this study’s findings highly relevant and valuable.

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Transformation of Historic Neighborhoods: How Tourism Is Changing the Historic Center of Kashan, Iran

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Heritage tourism and place making: investigating the users’ perspectives towards Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai in Qazvin, Iran

Heritage tourism and place making: investigating the users’ perspectives towards Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai in Qazvin, Iran

Spatial Liminality as a Framework for Revitalising Dilapidated Abandoned Buildings in Historic Cities: A Case Study

Authenticity- and Sustainability-Based Failure Prevention in the Post-Conservation Life of Reused Historic Houses as Tourist Accommodations: Award-Winning Projects from Isfahan City

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