Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Analyzing the impacts of tourism development in historic urban fabrics (A case study of Dabbaghan neighborhood, Qazvin)

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Master of Urban Design, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
Abstract
Tourism development in historical urban fabrics is an effective strategy for improving spatial, economic, and social quality, yet its success depends on understanding residents’ perceptions and experiences. This study aims to elucidate the conceptual model of residents’ perceptions toward tourism development in the Dabbaghan neighborhood of Qazvin and to identify the dimensions shaping these perceptions across physical, economic, and socio-cultural domains. Employing a qualitative approach, data were collected through 32 semi-structured interviews with residents selected via snowball sampling. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software in three stages: open, axial, and selective coding. Open coding generated 521 initial codes, which were refined into seven categories through axial coding. The categories encompass “attitudes toward heritage preservation”, “satisfaction with urban amenities,” “neighborhood safety”, “protection of cultural identity,” “social participation,” “enhancement of tourism-related economic opportunities”, and “perspectives on local livelihoods”. These categories were finally synthesized into a core category via selective coding, titled “integrated enhancement of the physical, social, cultural, and economic dimensions of the historic neighborhood based on tourism development”. The findings revealed that residents’ perceptions follow a synergistic multidimensional pattern in which improved economic status, strengthened social interactions, cultural preservation, and enhanced physical quality operate simultaneously. This study advances the literature by providing an empirical conceptual model and a detailed analysis of the dimensions of local community perception, offering an actionable framework for tourism policymaking and management in similar historical contexts.
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 7, Issue 8
November 2026
Pages 76-93

  • Receive Date 30 December 2025
  • Revise Date 05 April 2026
  • Accept Date 28 April 2026