نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

• اسماعیل قادری ¹
• بشری مهاجر ²

¹ دانشیار، گروه گردشگری، دانشکده مدیریت و حسابداری، دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی، تهران، ایران.

² دانشجوی دکتری گردشگری، گروه گردشگری، دانشکده مدیریت و حسابداری، دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی، تهران، ایران.

چکیده

گردشگری شهری کم‌کربن به‌عنوان یکی از الزامات توسعه پایدار در ایران، با توجه به چالش‌های زیست‌محیطی ناشی از انتشار گازهای گلخانه‌ای در مقاصد شهری، از اهمیت ویژه‌ای برخوردار است. این نوع گردشگری به‌عنوان راهکاری نوین برای کاهش اثرات زیست‌محیطی و بهبود کیفیت زندگی ساکنان و گردشگران معرفی می‌شود. این پژوهش با استفاده از روش فراترکیب که رویکردی کیفی برای تلفیق و تحلیل نظام‌مند یافته‌های مطالعات پیشین است، به واکاوی مفهوم گردشگری شهری کم‌کربن پرداخته است. به‌کارگیری این روش از آن‌رو ضروری است که دانش موجود در این زمینه تاکنون به‌صورت پراکنده ارائه شده و دستیابی به یک درک جامع، منسجم و قابل اتکا برای سیاست‌گذاری و برنامه‌ریزی مؤثر، از اهمیت حیاتی برخوردار است. با توجه به فقدان رویکردهای جامع و سیستماتیک در مدیریت گردشگری کم‌کربن در مقاصد شهری، این مقاله می‌تواند گامی مؤثر در هموارسازی مسیر برای توسعه و اجرای گردشگری شهری کم‌کربن باشد. بنابراین هدف و سئوال این پژوهش، چیستی مؤلفه های گردشگری شهری کم کربن است تا بتوان چارچوبی جامع برای سیاست‌گذاری و مدیریت این نوع گردشگری در مقاصد شهری ارائه داد. چارچوب مفهومی پیشنهادی این پژوهش با بررسی 79 پژوهش در زمینه گردشگری کم کربن و مقصدهای شهری کم کربن شامل عوامل کلان (سیاست‌گذاری، اقتصادی، محیط زیستی، توسعه فناوری‌ و قانونی)، عوامل خرد (شامل عرضه خدمات گردشگری کم‌کربن، تقاضا و مدیریت مقاصد) است. نتایج نشان می‌دهد که دستیابی به گردشگری کم‌کربن نیازمند همکاری و هماهنگی در سطوح مختلف و داشتن نگاهی سیستمی بین عوامل کلان و خرد است. این پژوهش با ارائه چارچوبی جامع، به سیاست‌گذاران و مدیران شهری در طراحی و اجرای برنامه‌های مرتبط کمک می‌کند و می‌تواند به افزایش رضایت گردشگران، کاهش اثرات زیست‌محیطی و تحقق توسعه پایدار در مقاصد شهری منجر شود.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• گردشگری شهری کم‌کربن
• گردشگری کم‌کربن
• توسعه پایدار شهری
• فراترکیب

موضوعات

• گردشگری شهری

عنوان مقاله [English]

Exploring the components of low-carbon urban tourism: a meta-synthesis approach

نویسندگان [English]

• esmaeel ghaderi ¹
• boshra mohajer ²

¹ Department of Tourism, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Tourism, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.

چکیده [English]

Highlights

Meta-synthesis is a qualitative approach that enables the systematic integration, reinterpretation, and synthesis of findings from previous studies, thereby generating new theoretical insights beyond individual research results.
Achieving low-carbon tourism, particularly in urban destinations, requires multi-level coordination, cross-sectoral collaboration, and a systemic perspective that links macro-level governance and policies with micro-level behavioral and operational components.
The proposed conceptual framework can enhance tourist satisfaction, reduce environmental footprints, strengthen destination competitiveness, and contribute to the realization of sustainable development goals in urban tourism systems.

 
Introduction
Low-carbon tourism (LCT) has emerged as a central strategy in global sustainable development agendas, given the increasing contribution of tourism-related activities to greenhouse gas emissions. Within this broader context, low-carbon urban tourism (LCUT) holds particular significance, as cities represent complex and dense environments where large numbers of residents, tourists, services, and infrastructures interact. Urban destinations are major hubs of cultural exchange, mobility, accommodation, and consumption, making them both vulnerable to environmental pressures and well-positioned for transformative sustainability initiatives.
Despite the rising recognition of LCUT as a vital pathway for reducing emissions and creating environmentally responsible tourism systems, existing research remains fragmented, often focusing narrowly on specific themes such as transportation, accommodation, or policy.
Consequently, there is a notable absence of comprehensive, integrative frameworks capable of guiding policymakers, urban planners, and tourism managers toward coherent strategies.
This study aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic meta-synthesis of research on LCUT. The objective is to identify the principal macro and micro dimensions shaping low-carbon tourism in urban settings and to develop a holistic conceptual framework that can support strategic planning and implementation.
Methodology
The research employs the meta-synthesis qualitative approach, chosen for its capacity to merge diverse qualitative findings into a unified conceptual structure. Following Erwin et al.’s (2011) six-step meta-synthesis protocol, the study initiated with an analytical review of existing research gaps concerning LCUT and established the overarching aim of designing an integrated conceptual framework.
In the second step, a comprehensive and systematic literature search was conducted using international databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, as well as Persian-language databases such as SID and Magiran. Keywords such as “low-carbon tourism,” “urban tourism,” “low-carbon strategies,” and “sustainable tourism development” were employed. The search included English and Persian publications produced up to the year 2023.
The third step involved a rigorous quality assessment. Using the CASP checklist, 780 initially identified studies were screened for methodological robustness, conceptual relevance, and thematic alignment. Ultimately, 79 studies met the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of analysis.
In the fourth step, data extraction and thematic coding were performed. Key concepts were identified and categorized into two overarching domains: macro-level factors and micro-level components. In the fifth step, these categorized findings were synthesized into a coherent conceptual framework. Visual schematics and tables were used to improve clarity and facilitate conceptual integration.
Finally, step six involved reflection and validation. Through consultations with experts in tourism studies, sustainability, and urban planning, the internal coherence, applicability, and robustness of the framework were assessed. This iterative feedback process ensured that the resulting model captures the multifaceted dynamics of LCUT and addresses real-world needs in urban tourism management.
Results and Discussion
The findings reveal that the effective development of LCUT depends on the simultaneous integration of macro-level enabling conditions and micro-level operational and behavioral factors.
At the macro level, six principal domains were identified:

1. Political factors, including governance structures, inter-agency coordination, and strategic policy direction.
2. Economic factors, such as incentives, investments, and market mechanisms supporting low-carbon transitions.
3. Socio-cultural dimensions, involving public awareness, cultural norms, and societal readiness for sustainable practices.
4. Environmental measures, including emission reduction targets, conservation policies, and ecological protection regulations.
5. Legal frameworks, which enforce sustainability standards and regulate high-emission activities.
6. Technological advancements, such as smart mobility systems, renewable energy technologies, and digital management tools.

At the micro level, the LCUT system relies on three core pillars:

Supply-side components, including green accommodations, low-emission transportation, eco-friendly attractions, sustainable food services, and education initiatives.
Demand-side factors, encompassing tourist behavior, environmental awareness, value perception, and willingness to engage in sustainable activities.
Destination management, covering managerial structures, environmental stewardship, infrastructure development, investment planning, and sustainable marketing strategies.

The interaction between these macro and micro factors illustrates that LCUT must be viewed as an integrated socio-ecological system rather than a set of isolated actions.
Conclusion
This study underscores the necessity of multi-layered, collaborative, and systemic approaches to advance low-carbon urban tourism. Governments must spearhead initiatives by establishing supportive regulatory environments and investing in green infrastructure such as renewable energy networks, sustainable mobility systems, and urban green spaces. Simultaneously, tourism businesses, residents, and visitors must adopt environmentally responsible practices.
The conceptual framework developed through this meta-synthesis provides a comprehensive roadmap for scholars and practitioners. It clarifies the structural and operational dimensions required for LCUT and offers a foundation for future empirical research. Future studies should focus on developing measurable indicators to assess LCUT performance, evaluating the model’s applicability across diverse urban contexts, and exploring climate change implications for tourism sustainability.
Acknowledgment
This research was conducted with the financial and moral support of the Kurdistan Province Gas Department. The author expresses sincere gratitude to this institution for its invaluable contributions to the advancement of this doctoral study.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• Low-carbon urban tourism
• Low-carbon tourism
• Sustainable urban development
• Meta-synthesis