The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Assessment of the Tourism Carrying Capacity of the Rab’ e Rashidi Historical Site from the Perspective of Overtourism and Undertourism

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2026.567899.5963
Volume 23, 156 (Specified Issue of International Conference on “Architectural Heritage at Risk,”)
June 2026
Pages 67-78
The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

Samine Nikpour 1
Hamze Pirbabaei 2

1 Department of Conservation of Historic Buildings and Urban Fabrics, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Iran

2 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Tabriz Islamic Art University, Iran

Abstract
Problem statement: In recent years, tourism growth in many historical sites and monuments has been accompanied by factors such as overtourism and undertourism, phenomena that can threaten the physical, managerial, and perceptual sustainability of cultural heritage. Despite its outstanding historical value, the Rabʿ e Rashidi historical site in Tabriz, as one of the most prominent complexes of the Ilkhanid period, has often been overlooked within the urban tourism system of Tabriz. Due to the absence of quantitative and spatial analyses concerning visitor distribution patterns, intensity of spatial use, and the tourism carrying capacity, the site has remained under examined in these respects.
Research objective: This study aims to evaluate the tourism carrying capacity of the Rabʿ e Rashidi historical site in Tabriz with the purpose of addressing the imbalance in tourism activity and planning for the reduction of physical degradation of the archaeological complex. The research seeks to answer the following question: Considering contemporary approaches to heritage site tourism, what is the tourism carrying capacity of the Rabʿ e Rashidi historical site in Tabriz?
Research method: This research employs a mixed method strategy, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches through library studies and field surveys. The study estimates the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) and presents results across three primary levels of carrying capacity analysis: Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC).
Conclusion: Findings indicate that this valuable historical site, when physical, environmental, and managerial factors are taken into account, will fall within the range of minimal tourism by 2025. According to the calculated data, of the original 90 hectare area of Rabʿ e Rashidi, currently less than 13 hectares are recoverable, and the site is capable of hosting more than 5,000 visitors per day. However, on average, only about 7 visitors per day have visited the site throughout the year.

Keywords

Cultural Heritage Tourism
Tourism Carrying Capacity
Overtourism
Undertourism
Rabʿ e Rashidi Historical Site.
Subjects
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