Heritage tourism and the built environment

[摘要] The aims of this research are to examine and explore perceptions of the built environmental impacts of heritage tourism in urban settlements; to explore the practice of heritage tourism management; and to examine the consequences of both for the sustainability of the heritage environment. The literature review explores the concepts of heritage management, the heritage production model, the tourist-historic city, and sustainability and the impact of tourism on the built environment. A theoretical framework is developed, through an examination of literature on environmental impacts, carrying capacity, sustainability, and heritage management; and a research framework is devised for investigating the built environmental impacts of heritage tourism in urban settlements, based around five objectives, or questions. The research methodology is explained. Fieldwork took place in Ludlow, Shropshire from 2006 to 2010. It included an analysis of the national and local planning policy framework; and the phenomenon of the small English heritage town, of which Ludlow is a prime example. Linked surveys were undertaken in Ludlow of visitors, business providers, and managers of heritage tourism. The study establishes (a) the concept of 'perceived impact' of heritage tourism on the built environment is a stronger analytical and management tool than the concept of carrying capacity; and (b) that understanding stakeholder's perception of the built environmental impacts of heritage tourism provides empirical evidence that can contribute a new dimension to debates on the definition of 'heritage'; (c) takes forward the typology of the built environmental impacts of tourism as developed by Hunter and Green, using empirical data to show what different stakeholders think about the relative importance of different aspects of heritage.

[发布机构] University:University of Birmingham;Department:Centre for Urban and Regional Studies

[关键词] G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation;G Geography (General)