Urban Sprawl and Its Impact on Urban Tourism in Romania. Issue 4 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rusu, R.; Bodocan, V.; Man, T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern studies. Volume 22:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 521
• Page End: 533
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Balkan Peninsula -- Periodicals; Balkan Peninsula -- Statistics -- Periodicals; Middle East -- Periodicals; 949.6
• DOI: 10.1080/19448953.2020.1775403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1944-8953

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Unlike Western Europe and the Americas, urban sprawl occurred only after 1989 in Romania, as well as in other Central and Eastern European states. Urban hinterlands have been radically transformed through residential suburbanization left in the hands of the free market. Sprawl has determined the decrease of open space around the cities as well as traffic congestion, higher pollution and other environmental and social issues. In terms of urban tourism, sprawl has led to the emergence of many suburban accommodation units, which provided a viable alternative to the accommodation in the city centre. On the other hand, urban sprawl has affected the identity of Romanian cities as it has created rather 'placeless' suburbs. This acts against the efforts of the cities to enhance place identity in order to attract more tourists. Therefore unplanned suburban development impacts negatively on urban policies in the field of tourism.