Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Assistant Professor in Department of Architecture, Shahr- e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The Abbas Abad area is one of the most significant natural and historical landmarks in Tehran. It has been developed and utilized over the past 17 years to establish a tourism and cultural hub for Iran's capital. However, with new activity areas being introduced, changes in leisure patterns and citizens' needs, and management conflicts arising from independent organizations established in the region, it is crucial to manage the complex's activities effectively. This requires attention to changes, a review of requirements and capacities, and consideration of present situations. To address these challenges, this study employed documentary research, field observations, in-depth interviews with stakeholders, and questionnaires to survey different visitor groups during various months and seasons throughout the year. The results offer appropriate solutions to improve the utilization status of the complex. These solutions include increasing diversity and functional mixing within the complex, particularly emphasizing the private sector's role in cultural activities. Additionally, providing basic comfort conditions in open spaces, improving communication methods, and upgrading management infrastructures in accordance with exploitation are essential steps towards enhancing the complex's management.
Keywords: Abbas Abad Area, Optimal Exploitation, Urban Space, Cultural Space, Tourism Space.
Introduction
Urban spaces have played a crucial role as the physical platform for civil life and social interactions amongst citizens. The relationship between urban spaces and various forms of civil life has a long-standing history in cities. These areas witness a diverse range of activities encompassing cultural, tourism, social, economic, and political domains, facilitating most contacts, communications, and interactions between people. Among the significant ecological capacities of Tehran city, Abbas Abad district holds a prominent position, further amplified by its strategic location within the capital. Today, Abbas Abad is one of the most important tourist destinations in Tehran, featuring an array of cultural, scientific, recreational centers, green spaces, and natural areas. However, certain sections of this complex encounter issues of unbalanced population distribution concerning space or time. Additionally, due to its strategic location, some lands of Abbas Abad have been allocated to independent cultural and administrative institutions, contrary to the approved plans, resulting in challenges in the effective utilization of this area.
Literature Review
This research paper summarizes studies on the management of urban spaces globally, emphasizing tourism and cultural spaces. Carmona highlights user regulation, maintenance, and investment as fundamental dimensions of urban management. Barakpour and Asadi (2011) categorize the dimensions of public space management into five fields: integration of planning and policy-making, functional, territorial, governmental-political, interested stakeholder groups, and management contexts. In 2020, García Henche proposed a sustainable management model for creative, cultural, and historical tourism spaces in the article titled "Sustainable Management Model for Creative Cultural and Tourism Ecosystems." This innovative model supports the coexistence of both public and private sectors while integrating residents of city centers with economic activities generated by urban tourism, promoting a culturally rich, sustainable management approach. Therefore, cooperation among cultural organizations, hospitality industry, and retail businesses is vital to foster successful cultural, creative, and sustainable management practices in urban cultural spaces.
Methodology
The present study was conducted using a variety of methods, including library research, field observations, questionnaires, and interviews. The statistical population for this project included tourists and visitors to Abbas Abad lands, and the study focused on examining the patterns of people visiting the area, the problems they experienced, and their suggestions regarding various factors affecting environmental quality in the area. To determine the necessary sample size, Cochran's method was employed. Given the lack of extensive studies regarding the number of people who visit the area, as well as the large research area encompassing regions 3, 6, and 7 of Tehran Municipality, the highest sample size recommended by Cochran's method was used, requiring 384 questionnaires per season, totaling 1536 questionnaires overall. On average, 128 questionnaires were distributed each month, on different days of the week (both working and non-working). The questionnaires were distributed across different areas according to the population density of each section and were completed at various times during the day and night, on different days of the week and month.
Discussion and Results
One of the most significant findings of this research is the proposal of tourist routes for Abbas Abad's area. The proposed tourist routes in the cultural complex of Abbas Abad lands consist of five thematic axes: health and recreation, myth and history, exploration and research, knowledge and philosophy, and culture and art. Each of these axes was developed based on the issues and challenges facing the area, as well as the potential of different spaces to support tourism. For each axis, a tourist tour program is presented, including the origin and destination, the duration of the tour, and the proposed activities and programs in the areas of the Abbas Abad complex.
Given the importance of using Abbas Abad lands for cultural and tourism purposes, improving the quality of content and activities, as well as infrastructure and background conditions, are crucial. This will enable the complex to fulfill its functional position as outlined in urban, national, and transnational documents. To address the identified challenges, solutions can be classified into two main categories: policy-making, planning, and activity establishment, and conditions, requirements, and supporting fields for activities. Proposed solutions include increasing diversity and functional mixing in the complex, enhancing the role of land in cultural activities (particularly with the involvement of the private sector), providing basic comfort conditions in open spaces, improving information dissemination and reputation building, and enhancing management infrastructures consistent with exploitation.
Conclusion
Improvement of management infrastructure is one of the most crucial steps towards optimal utilization of the complex. Given that exploitation is more important than construction measures with regards to activities of AbbasAbad Land Renewal Company, it is necessary to align the organizational structure, human resources, strategic documents, and legal frameworks of the company to facilitate private sector involvement in the complex. Furthermore, changing the position of the company from sub-committee of Urban Development and Architecture Deputy of Tehran Municipality to Tehran's Mayor Office can enhance the management ability of the company due to its critical role in Tehran city performance. It is noteworthy that the proposed shifting of the company's position does not involve changes in the existing personnel structure and administrative framework, thus avoiding additional financial costs for the municipality.
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