Urban tourism has assumed a central role in the economic, social, and cultural dynamics of European cities, reflecting the ongoing changes in the contemporary urban context (Di Bella, 2022). The role of geography in analysing and interpreting the transformations of tourist sites within cities becomes even more relevant in light of the new challenges and opportunities related to sustainability, urban regeneration, and social inclusion. For instance, the success of the city-break in contemporary tourism is the result of a complex interplay between global and local factors. On the one hand, globalization and technological innovation have made urban travel more accessible and desirable, while on the other hand, urban policies—primarily aimed at the revitalization of historic centres, the enhancement of cultural heritage, and the promotion of tourism—have contributed to strengthening the appeal of cities as tourist destinations (Ruggiero, 2008; Barata-Salgueiro et al., 2017). In this context, urban tourism has influenced the demographic trends of historic centres: initially encouraging the revaluation of these spaces, but more recently contributing to a decline in residential density due to the short-term rental phenomenon. Similarly, other temporary phenomena associated with urban tourism, such as mega events, can alter the socio-economic balance of urban centres and the everyday living spaces, which may appear fragile and limited in scale, thus being unsuitable to support new functions or accommodate high visitor flows (De Iulio, 2020).
The session aims to analyse the emerging trends and challenges that urban tourism poses to European cities, with particular focus on the sustainability and resilience of urban destinations in a context of continuous change. Contributions exploring theoretical approaches, methodological frameworks, and empirical experiences are encouraged, with a transdisciplinary perspective aimed at fostering an inclusive debate.
The session will focus on various aspects of urban tourism, including, but not limited to:
– emerging tourism practices and the impacts of tourism on urban socio-spatial dynamics;
– tourism governance and planning strategies in European cities;
– tourism as a driver of gentrification and inequalities;
– evolution of urban destinations: new models and new forms of tourism.
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The role of sports events in developing medium-sized cities: the challenges of Novara as a tourism destination.
Raffaella Afferni, Carla Ferrario
Università del Piemonte Orientale, Italy
One of the current challenges for urban dynamics concerns the role that urban tourism plays in cities in the creation of economic, social, and cultural opportunities. Transformations of tourist sites within cities are relevant in urban regeneration and contribute to reshape and reorganize the city and its image.
The aim of the contribute is to focus on the dynamics of urban tourism in medium-sized cities that in Europe play an important role connecting metropolitan areas with rural areas.
In particular, the authors will analyse the emerging trends and challenges fostered by the implementation of programmes and projects that affect the urbanised area and redesign part of its structure and image thanks to national and international sport events.
Novara will be presented as a useful case study in order to point out how a medium-sized cities, named European city of sport 2025, can face the economic and social transition from the traditional industrial model to the contemporary response to global urban challenges.
The contribute explores the experiences of the city and synthesizes the main strategies adopted by the local administration of Novara in reshaping the urban space to favourite incoming tourism. The contribute argues a critical geographical approach and pays a special attention to urban space transformation processes, social practices and collaborative/conflictual relations. The authors will focus on various aspects connected to the main sport events that took and will take place in the city (e.g. Rink Hockey World Championships 2024) and on the impacts of tourism on urban socio-spatial dynamics.
Assessing current use and visions for sacral complexes in a landscape: An example from Central Europe
Martin Boltižiar1, Ingrid Belčáková2, Zuzana Jančoková3, Braňo Slobodník2, Attila Rácz2
1Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, branch Nitra, Slovakia; 2Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia; 3Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Slovakia
A significant phenomenon of sacral complexes in a landscape is their cultural heritage dimension. They are part of historical landscape structures, representing a type of cultural landscape. In addition, they are often perceived as important landscape landmarks and symbols. In Slovakia (Central Europe), most such complexes are abandoned and deteriorated. In this context presented paper deals with the assessment and possible future human use of Calvary in Hliník nad Hronom (Slovakia) in order to preserve it for future generations. A central aspect of our research work presented in this contribution is to elaborate a sustainable and feasible concept for the Calvary following the integrated approach of its revitalization. Firstly, we analyzed Calvary´s historical and regional setting with the help of a thorough review of literature, historical maps, and pictures. Then we evaluated architectural, landscape, and vegetation values, as well as landscape structure changes using relevant methodologies. Based on this evaluation, much fieldwork, and social survey we were able to identify the current problems of the place connected with abandonment and use, evaluated values, socio-economic factors, and preservation policies. Subsequently, we prepared a future concept for the Calvary following the selected criteria and distinguishing features and looking at the Calvary as a result of collective work. Finally, recommendations were formulated for legal framework and spatial planning procedures in order to enforce better preservation of values of sacral complexes in the country.
Highlights for public administration, management and planning:
• Calvaries are important landmarks, but most such sacral complexes are abandoned and deteriorated.
• This study presents a proof-of-concept for the integrated approach to revitalisation with a focus on both spiritual and tourist purposes.
• The revitalisation concept includes proposals for religious and architectural elements, landscape and greenery elements, monuments and landscape protection needs, and they pose suitable socio-economic utilisation of the site.
• The concept shows that the contrast between the open landscape at the foot of the hills and the hilltop is very important and must be maintained in revitalisation actions.
Investigation Gentrification Typologies for the Perspective of Urban Development in Attiki Basin
Evrydiki Maria Markopoulou, Dr. Maria Pigaki
National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Gentrification is a phenomenon prevailing in many cities around the world, affecting them
socioeconomically. Although gentrification may benefit a city, there is evidence of segregation and
displacement in urban population. It is crucial to recognize any negative consequences, in order to take
action and mitigate them. This paper investigates the manifestation of gentrification in the Attiki basin,
to promote a better understanding regarding any unique characteristics. Additionally, the purpose of
this paper is to categorize gentrification in three different typologies (marginal gentrification,
mainstream gentrification and super gentrification), detect the potential and development in the next
years. The data was retrieved by the Hellenic Statistical Authority and the Mapping Panorama of Greek
Census Data. Also, spatial analysis methods were applied. The parameters taken into consideration
were demographics, such as age, education level, nationality (refugees and immigrants), profession and
tenure. Athens is one of the most touristic cities in Europe, due to the rich ancient history and important
monuments situated in many of the city’s areas. It is indicated from previous authors that gentrification
may not be such a prominent urban typology in touristic areas, but rather touristification. Athens
embodies the role model of a “Touristic City”. In order to determine the influence of certain points of
interest in the urban fabric (archaeological spaces, metro stations, pedestrian areas, bike lanes, squares)
as well the road network, Space Syntax methods were applied. The latter was used to assess the
potential dispersal of gentrification in other neighborhoods. The findings show that there marginal
gentrification is to be found in the western areas, mainstream gentrification near the City Center and
super gentrification in the northern and southern suburbs. The dispersal of those typologies is linked to
the specific demographics of the population in each area. Moreover, the metro lines influence in a great
level the development of gentrification. Finally, touristification is likely to have developed in the
historical center rather than mainstream gentrification. These findings indicate that it is crucial to take
action, in order to enhance regional urban planning and prevent citizens from becoming displaced from
their communities.
Socio-spatial impacts and strategic planning of urban tourism activity: Case study of Pontevedra and Sanxenxo (Galicia, Spain)
Carlos Alberto Patiño Romarís1, Breixo Martíns Rodal2, Rubén Camilo Lois González3
1Universidade de Vigo, Spain; 2Universidade de Vigo; 3Unversidade de Santiago de Compostela
The accelerated development of urban tourism has led to the emergence of phenomena associated with overcrowding in mature urban destinations at a global level. Overtourism is a growing phenomenon that has placed the management of tourist flows on the political agenda of urban destinations. The urban problems generated by overcrowding fundamentally involve challenges of coexistence between residents and visitors, and can lead to a feeling of rejection of overcrowding (tourismophobia). This feeling of rejection is a consequence of different types of problems within urban centres linked to tourism development; among which it is worth highlighting: the proliferation of tourist housing, Airbnb, touristification or gentrification. The analysis of the cases of Pontevedra and Sanxenxo (Galicia, Spain) allows us to review the measures adopted by two different models of tourism management by public administrations to address the problem of this overdemand. The results show the need to move towards comprehensive tourism governance to improve the management of urban destinations. In this sense, co-governance between stakeholders is key to the success of territorial tourism management in the face of such challenges; as well as coordination between all public administrations. Management that must be based on intelligent strategic tourism planning based on the implementation of a basic system of indicators based on quantitative and qualitative variables, the latter resulting from an approximation to the assessments of the resident population for the tourist situation of a destination. The final objective is to have objective criteria to subsequently establish lines of action with the aim of controlling and alleviating problems such as tourist over-frequency in certain urban enclaves or the regulation of tourist housing.
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