Strategic Analysis of Sustainable Urban Regeneration of Historic Fabrics with a Tourism Development Approach (Case Study: Maragheh City)

Introduction: Tourism in many countries plays a driving role in economic growth and simultaneously contributes to improving quality of life, enhancing social welfare, and overall societal development. The regeneration of historic fabrics represents one of the key dimensions of this approach, which, in addition to preserving cultural and historical values, focuses on redefining and updating the functions of these spaces. More precisely, urban regeneration—particularly in historic fabrics that contain valuable historical resources and architectural, cultural, and religious heritage and thus possess considerable significance—aims to reorganize spatial structures in accordance with contemporary conditions. While safeguarding cultural values and indigenous and historical assets, such regeneration leads to the enhancement of the quality of the urban environment for residents and non-local users alike. Under these circumstances, historic fabrics gain the capacity to transform into spaces suitable for diverse land uses, including leisure activities, and to create new opportunities for urban economic growth and development. Accordingly, the present study seeks to analyze and determine the status of sustainable urban regeneration of historic fabrics with a tourism development approach in the city of Maragheh, to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and to propose practical strategies.
Materials and Methods: The present study is applied research, employing a descriptive–analytical method with a systematic approach based on systems thinking. The SWOT model within a strategic framework, the study not only identifies internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats but also classifies Maragheh’s position regarding sustainable urban regeneration of historic fabrics with a tourism development approach among four strategic categories: aggressive, conservative, defensive, and competitive. Additionally, strategic priorities are examined. In the literature review phase, reliable domestic and international sources were utilized. In the field phase, data were collected through questionnaires completed by experts, elites, and urban managers. The collected data were coded and entered into SPSS software for analysis, followed by extraction, interpretation, and summarization. Updated and credible domestic and international sources were also used in the documentary research phase to complement the theoretical sections. The statistical population consists of experts, elites, and urban managers in Maragheh. Due to the large size of the population, a sample of 230 individuals was selected through random sampling. The questionnaire’s face validity was confirmed by expert review, and its reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha, which yielded a score of 0.91, thus validating the instrument.
Results and Discussion: The results from the Internal-External (IE) matrix indicate that sustainable urban regeneration of historic fabrics with a tourism development approach in the city of Maragheh does not hold a favorable position. This is because defensive (WT) strategies are required, including securing sufficient funding for the restoration and maintenance of buildings and removing restrictive regulations in the development of tourism infrastructure within the historic fabric to attract more investors and tourists; utilizing inactive and underused spaces in the historic fabric to address deficiencies in needed land uses, especially those related to tourism such as leisure, recreational, and accommodation functions; restoring key elements, bazaars, commercial corridors, and passageways while minimizing social disorders and unauthorized interventions; organizing the transportation network in the historic fabric with an emphasis on public transportation; increasing information dissemination, advertising, and education regarding Maragheh’s historical sites, cultural assets, and local industries through cultural events, conferences, gatherings, and social media to expand tourism, attract investment, and boost exports of handicrafts and cultural products; and using vacant lands or abandoned buildings near the historic fabric for constructing public restrooms, health centers, and waste collection facilities to prevent environmental pollution and reduce visual degradation.
Conclusion: The path toward sustainable urban regeneration of historic fabrics with a tourism development approach faces significant weaknesses and threats, while some strengths and opportunities are also available. In other words, Maragheh has failed to capitalize on available opportunities and avoid existing threats and has not shown an appropriate reaction to external factors. Results from the Internal-External matrix further indicate that sustainable urban regeneration of historic fabrics with a tourism development approach in Maragheh does not hold a favorable position, as defensive (WT) strategies are necessary.