Evaluation of Urban Regeneration for the Development of Cultural Heritage Tourism in the Historical Context of Tabriz City

Introduction :

The city of Tabriz is one of the tourism hubs of the northwest region and the main tourism center of East Azerbaijan province. Tabriz, with its beautiful and eye - catching nature, cultural places, and historical buildings, has great potential for tourism development and every year many tourists from different parts of the country come to this city for sightseeing and entertainment. Therefore, the necessity of creating the historical - cultural texture of Tabriz and helping the integrated development of this city requires a different approach, among which we can mention the development of tourism with the ultimate goal of  - creating the different historical textures of this city. The existence of various attractions without considering the cultural industries and the development of important and influential urban components cannot lead to the development of tourism in Tabriz. In this way, the future field of this research is to examine the main factors affecting the development of urban tourism, which have been undervalued in past plans and research and only seek to create the use of attractions to strengthen the role of historical texture and revitalization. The worn texture of different areas of the city has been; Therefore, their results have not been able to use the opportunities, funds, and historical - cultural capabilities of the city to recreate it and, therefore, develop the city’s tourism, and as a result of the regression of economic - social conditions, living quality, and other physical and social disorders. and prevent the economy of the city; Therefore, the research question is, what are the effective factors for the development of cultural heritage tourism in the historical texture of Tabriz city?

This article investigates the potential of urban regeneration through tourism based on cultural heritage in the historical and cultural texture of Tabriz city with a case study approach. Like other case studies, this review was conducted with more than one source, including library sources, field studies, and also semi - structured interviews, conducted with 19 experts. The statistical population of the interviewees included urban experts, obtained by theoretical saturation in the interview process. The sample was divided into three different categories: to discover the potential areas of research, the statements of the interviewees were classified, and through qualitative content analysis to extract the strategic factors of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the case Analysis was done. To prioritize the strategies obtained from the SWOT analysis, the experts’ opinions were analyzed by collecting questionnaires and using the analytical network process (ANP) model with the help of Super Decision software to score the extracted items. It was analyzed through qualitative content analysis to extract the strategic factors of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). In the next step, the SWOT matrix was expanded by organizing the internal and external strategic factors that are the main foundation of the development strategy. To prioritize the strategies obtained from the SWOT analysis, experts’ opinions were analyzed through questionnaires and using the Analytical Network Process (ANP) model with the help of Super Decision software to score the extracted items. The main advantage of this approach is the influence of prioritized internal and external factors in alternative strategies for urban regeneration and tourism development. ANP is a commonly used criteria decision-making method, which performs pairwise comparisons between factors to prioritize them using an eigenvalue calculation approach. The purpose of using ANP in the SWOT framework was to systematically evaluate SWOT factors and equalize their intensity.

According to the results of the SWOT analysis, the most important limitations are the lack of a comprehensive tool for cultural policy (0.0182), the lack of sustainable financial resources for cultural activities, and tourism facilities (0.0114), the decrease in the quality of Tabriz carpets. (0.0153), and reducing the quality of spaces related to cultural events and ceremonies (0.0134). The most important opportunities are the use of historical monuments as centers of social and cultural events (0.0629), the revival of the carpet weaving industry (0.0554), and the revival of local ceremonies and local music (0.0411). The most important disadvantages and weaknesses are the competition for carpet production by other countries (0.0411) and the destruction of public spaces, such as part of the historical textures of the bazaar, and the destruction of historical monuments such as Alisha’s castle and citadel (0.0244). The most important strengths are the historical monuments such as the historical market, the fortress, and the Alisha citadel (0.07070). To develop strategies, external opportunities, and internal strengths were used, and strategies were tried to reduce external threats and internal weaknesses. Based on the SWOT table, the resulting strategies were prioritized using the amp model in the Super Decision software. The findings indicate that defensive strategies (WT) with a weight of 0.0575 have the highest priority in reducing the city’s vulnerability. Following these strategies, there are attack strategies (SO), revision strategies (WO), and diversification strategies (ST).

Tourism development, if done purposefully, causes regeneration in the historical texture of Tabriz. Due to the existence of many historical attractions in the historical texture of Tabriz and the potential to attract tourists, the strengthening and revitalization of tourist centers can be the driving engine of urban regeneration in this area. It should be mentioned that if tourism development in this texture is not targeted, it will destroy the texture structure, crowding traffic, and the comfort of the residents. To realize urban regeneration for the development of cultural heritage tourism in the historical texture of the city of Tabriz, six implementation policies can be considered, which include: 1. Preparation of approved regulations for the protection of historical cultural tissues of Tabriz city 2. Urban design with the renewal of urban life in the historical cultural textures of Tabriz city3. Supporting tourist and historical attractions by strengthening investment and determining appropriate uses in the city of Tabriz 4. Avoid extensive physical interventions and emphasize the protection of the unity of the physical and social structural system in the historical cultural texture of Tabriz city.5. Renewing the economic life of cultural and historical areas in Tabriz. 6. Planning the protection and revitalization of individual buildings, collections, areas, and historical areas of Tabriz city.