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.
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.
Research Questions:
1. How do tourists describe walking experiences in Isfahan's historic fabric?
2. What factors influence place experience quality?
3. What discrepancies exist between spatial models and real pedestrian experiences?
Method: Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), data from 16 tourists collected via semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, revealing six core themes.
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.
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.