Analysis of the Relationship Between the Spatial Structure of the Jolfa Tourism Axis and the Natural Movement of Tourists in it, with an Emphasis on the Space Syntax Theory Using AGRAPH Software

Undoubtedly, the tourism industry is one of the most important sources of income, and paying attention to the tourists’ ‘movement’ as the pillars of the tourism system, has an undeniable role in the development of this industry because a path can be determined for tourist’s movement with any purpose and on any scale of tourism. Therefore, considering how tourists move is very important in determining and designing tourist routes, and it is obvious that the quality of these routes has a significant impact on tourism promotion. The present study aims to investigate tourists’ movement by analyzing the relationship between the spatial structure of these routes and the natural movement on them. For this purpose, the Jolfa tourism axis located in the historical context of District 5 of Isfahan Municipality was selected as the case study. Then, the justified graph and axial map of these routes are designed by the Space Syntax theory and its relative concepts and tourists’ movement on these routes are analyzed and compared using the AGRAPH software application and its indicators which include Total Depth, Mean Depth, Relative Asymmetry, Integration, and Control Value. The present study falls within the category of descriptive-analytical studies in terms of procedure (selected by the researcher) and applied studies in terms of objective. The data were collected using library and field study methods. The research results indicate that Khaqani Street, Kelisa Alley, and Khajeh Abed Alley with integration(i) indices 20.67, 14.95, 13.78, and the total depth(TDn) of 72,85,89, respectively, have the highest integration and the lowest total depth. Thus, naturally, the potential for movement and presence of tourists and pedestrians on this route is more than in other parts of the Jolfa axis. Although Jolfa Alley has less permeability and access than other spaces on this axis in terms of spatial structure, due to the presence of Vank Church, Jolfa Square, and other tourist attractions, it welcomes many tourists and pedestrians daily. Therefore, it can be concluded that in addition to the indicators studied in AGRAPH software, other factors are also effective in attracting pedestrians and their movement.