Culture-led Regeneration in Historical Context to Create a Network of Creative Tourism Routes (Case Study: Shahshahan Neighborhood in Isfahan)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Tourism Studies of City, ACECR, Isfahan Branch, Isfahan, Iran

2 Master of Urban Design, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

Abstract
The historical context of Isfahan in the Shahshahan neighborhood, in the vicinity of Isfahan Jame Mosque, has valuable historical elements that provide the possibility of culture-led regeneration in this area. Also, various religious and ritual cultural events, numerous handicraft workshops, and artists' presence in this field have given a unique structure to this context. However, the lack of a culture-led regeneration approach and physical approach to the restoration of historical buildings without taking into account the construction pattern of the entire structure and activity changes and the injection of new uses, the lack of consideration of the cultural and artistic values ​​of this area and the neglect of the requirements of the tourism industry have caused this. Historical context cannot attract tourists to the extent of its capabilities. Therefore, this research seeks to apply strategic studies to provide a network of interconnected tourism axes along historical elements and ritual and cultural poles in the Shahshahan neighborhood to transform it into a creative handicraft neighborhood as a target area for tourism development. This research is descriptive and exploratory based on the type of applied research, and in terms of method, it is among the qualitative research based on the research strategy. The research process was carried out to prepare the theoretical framework of creative tourism and culture-led regeneration. In the next stage, the studies related to the project "Redefining the Role of Tourism Target Neighborhoods in the Direction of Tourism Development" of the Shahshahan neighborhood were reviewed and based on the theoretical framework of research, analysis, and The goal achievement matrix was presented based on the regeneration components with creative tourism approach. Finally, the action plans were presented as a network map of creative tourism routes and a list of proposed projects in restoration, functional, urban space, and beautification projects. The results show that this neighborhood, with its many historical elements and buildings with architectural value, the activities of handicraft workshops and artists, and a variety of religious and ritual activities, has unique capabilities to become a creative neighborhood of handicrafts and a tourist destination of the historical context of Isfahan city. As Isfahan is a part of the network of creative cities in the field of handicrafts, the design of the network of tourism routes is an excellent opportunity to create a suitable space for presenting capacities, abilities, workshops, and handicraft works as creative industries in the order of experience-oriented touristic routes with a particular theme in this area.

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