Nazar Research Center for Art, Architecture and Urbanism (NRC) The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar 1735-9635 Articles in Press 2026 05 02 Pedestrian-Orientation and the Meaning of Place in the Historical Context of Isfahan: An Analysis of Tourist Experience with an Interpretive Phenomenological Approach Pedestrian-Orientation and the Meaning of Place in the Historical Context of Isfahan: An Analysis of Tourist Experience with an Interpretive Phenomenological Approach 242962 10.22034/bagh.2026.558478.5927 FA Hamed Fallah Tafti Tourism Department, Humanity Faculty, Science &amp;amp; Arts University, Yazd, Iran. 0000-0003-4751-4394 Zohreh Savoj Tourism Ph.D Candidate, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran. 0009-0000-7736-7634 Journal Article 2025 11 10 Problem Statement: Isfahan's historic urban fabric, a UNESCO World Heritage site, functions as both a visual attraction and a dynamic space for pedestrian experiences. While pedestrian-oriented development gains prominence, existing research focusing on physical metrics has overlooked how tourists construct place meaning, creating mismatches between urban interventions and actual user experiences in heritage settings.<br>Objective: This study analyzes tourists' lived experiences in Isfahan's historic context to identify semantic themes shaping sense of place and examine physical, social, and aesthetic factors' roles in this process, aiming to bridge theoretical models and human experiences.<br>Research Questions:<br>1. How do tourists describe walking experiences in Isfahan's historic fabric?<br>2. What factors influence place experience quality?<br>3. What discrepancies exist between spatial models and real pedestrian experiences?<br>Method: Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), data from 16 tourists collected via semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, revealing six core themes.<br>Findings: Four primary themes emerged: "Signs and Wayfinding," "Visual Beauty and Legibility," "Socio-Economic Activities," and "Environmental Comfort." The "Spatial vs. Experiential Discrepancy" theme showed quantitative models' limitations in capturing meaning-making. Domestic tourists demonstrated emotional/identity-based perceptions while international tourists exhibited aesthetic/analytical perspectives.<br>Conclusion: Pedestrian experience in Isfahan is multidimensional, formed through physical-sensory-social interactions. Findings advocate for place-based, human-centered policies in historic urban management to enhance tourist experiences while preserving cultural heritage, recommending integration of qualitative data with conventional approaches. Problem Statement: Isfahan's historic urban fabric, a UNESCO World Heritage site, functions as both a visual attraction and a dynamic space for pedestrian experiences. While pedestrian-oriented development gains prominence, existing research focusing on physical metrics has overlooked how tourists construct place meaning, creating mismatches between urban interventions and actual user experiences in heritage settings.<br>Objective: This study analyzes tourists' lived experiences in Isfahan's historic context to identify semantic themes shaping sense of place and examine physical, social, and aesthetic factors' roles in this process, aiming to bridge theoretical models and human experiences.<br>Research Questions:<br>1. How do tourists describe walking experiences in Isfahan's historic fabric?<br>2. What factors influence place experience quality?<br>3. What discrepancies exist between spatial models and real pedestrian experiences?<br>Method: Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), data from 16 tourists collected via semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, revealing six core themes.<br>Findings: Four primary themes emerged: "Signs and Wayfinding," "Visual Beauty and Legibility," "Socio-Economic Activities," and "Environmental Comfort." The "Spatial vs. Experiential Discrepancy" theme showed quantitative models' limitations in capturing meaning-making. Domestic tourists demonstrated emotional/identity-based perceptions while international tourists exhibited aesthetic/analytical perspectives.<br>Conclusion: Pedestrian experience in Isfahan is multidimensional, formed through physical-sensory-social interactions. Findings advocate for place-based, human-centered policies in historic urban management to enhance tourist experiences while preserving cultural heritage, recommending integration of qualitative data with conventional approaches.