GeoJournal of Tourism and Geositesgtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/PDF/GTG-2-2012/GTG_2012_2.pdfGeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites ISSN 2065-0817, E-ISSN 2065-1198 Year V no.2, vol. 10, November

GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites Oradea University Press

Editors in Chief:

Dorina Camelia ILIEŞ, University of Oradea, Romania Waldemar MOSKA, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport from Gdańsk, Poland

Associate Editors: Doriano CASTALDINI, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy Olivier DEHOORNE, University of Antille and Guyanne, France Marin ILIEŞ, „Babeş-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania Ioana JOSAN, University of Oradea, Romania

Assistant Editors: Cezar MORAR, University of Oradea, Romania Corina TĂTAR, University of Oradea, Romania

Scientific Committee: Janne AHTOLA, University of Turku, Finland Irasema ALCANTARA AYALA, University of Mexico, Mexic Alina BĂDULESCU, University of Oradea, Romania Dan BĂLTEANU, Romanian Academy – Institut of Geography of Bucharest, Romania Karl BENEDIKTSSON, University of Iceland, Iceland Huhua CAO, University of Ottawa, Canada Nicolae CIANGĂ, “Babeş-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania Pompei COCEAN, “Babeş-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania Laura COMANESCU, University of Bucharest, Romania Paola CORATZA, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy Ştefan DESZI, „Babeş-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania Brahin EL FASSKAOUI, University of Moulay Ismaïl, Meknès, Morocco Allessandro GALLO, “Ca’ Foscari” University of Venice, Italy Michael C. HALL, University of Canterbury, New Zeeland Ioan IANOŞ, University of Bucharest, Romania Corneliu IAŢU, “Al. I. Cuza” University of Iaşi, Romania Alexandru ILIEŞ, University of Oradea, Romania Gabriela ILIEŞ, “Babeş-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania Nicolae JOSAN, University of Oradea, Romania Saşa KICOSEV, University of Novi Sad, Serbia Zdzisław KORDEL, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport from Gdańsk, Poland Alan A. LEW, Northern Arizona University, United States of America Barbara MARCISZEWSKA, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport from Gdańsk, Poland Gabor MICHALKÓ, Hungarian Institut of Academy of Budapest, Hungary Ionel MUNTELE, “Al. I. Cuza” University of Iaşi, Romania Martin OLARU, West University of Timişoara, Romania Mario PANIZZA, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy Elisa PASTORIZA, National University of Mar del Plata, Argentine Salva Tomas PERE, University of Balleare Island, Spain Rodica PETREA, University of Oradea, Romania Emmanuel REYNARD, University of Laussane, Suisse Maria Luisa RODRIGUEZ, University of Lisabon, Portugal Stanisław SAWCZYN, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport from Gdańsk, Poland Eduardas SPIRIAJEVAS, University of Klaipėda, Lithuania Barbu ŞTEFĂNESCU, University of Oradea, Romania Dallen J. TIMOTHY, Arizona State University, United States of America Luca ZARRILLI, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Pescara, Italy Philippe VIOLIER, University of Angers, France Jan WENDT, University of Gdansk, Poland Krysztof WIDAWSKI, University of Wroclaw, Poland Allan M. WILLIAMS, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom Joachim WILLMS, “Merkur” University of Karlsruhe, Germany

Technical Editors: Maria GOZNER, University of Oradea, Romania Marius STUPARIU, University of Oradea, Romania

Secretary on-line version: Ştefan BAIAS, University of Oradea, Romania Grigore HERMAN, University of Oradea, Romania

ISSN 2065-0817, E-ISSN 2065-1198

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GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites ISSN 2065-0817, E-ISSN 2065-1198

Year VV no.2, vol. 10, NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001122

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C O N T E N T S

Ştefan BAIAS, Jean-Francois PARENT

Achievements and Challenges: the Many Faces of Brownfield Sites in the Territorial System Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada (Art#10201-119) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Cezar MORAR

Types and Forms of Tourism in the Vadu Crişului - Şuncuiuş Area,Romania (Art#10202-116) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Remigiusz DRÓŻDŻ, Maksymilian PAŚKO, Julia ZIÓŁKOWSKA

Forms of Physical Activity Performed by Handicapped People in Their Free Time. The Example of Gdansk Citizens (Art#10203-109) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Cristina LETOS, Dumitru LETOS

The Determination of the Touristic Potential for the Settlements from Ozana-Topoliţa Depression (Art#10204-114) .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172

Razvan OPREA, Alexandru NEDELEA, Laura COMĂNESCU

Petrographic Relief in the Bucegi (Prahovean Area) and CeahlauMountains (Central Area) - the Romanian Carpathians. Scientific Aproach vs Local Legends (Art#10205-107) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Medet YOLAL

Geotourism and Geoparks: The Case of Kizilcahamam-ÇamlidereGeopark (Art#10206-112) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

* * * * * * *

GGeeooJJoouurrnnaall ooff TToouurriissmm aanndd GGeeoossiitteess Year VV no.2, vol. 10, NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001122,, pppp.. 114411--115511ISSN 22006655--00881177, E-ISSN 22006655--11119988 Article no. 1100220011--111199

http://gtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/

ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES: THE MANY FACES OF BROWNFIELD SITES IN THE TERRITORIAL SYSTEM

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, CANADA

ŞŞtteeffaann BBAAIIAASS** University of Oradea, Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning – CSAT,

1 Universitatii St., 410087, Oradea, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

JJeeaann--FFrraannccooiiss PPAARREENNTT University of Ottawa, Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts,

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This article provides an analysis of various aspects regarding the situation of brownfields in the territorial system of Ottawa – Gatineau, in Canada, which developed considerably from an economic point of view over the last 60 years. The brownfields located in the National Capital Region share a historical / patrimonial significance, but also contain a possible economic value that cannot be neglected. Thus, balance between the economic imperatives of the 21st Century and the heritage elements of these sites must be found in order to achieve the requirements of a sustainable development of the city. Nine brownfields have been identified and analysed, most of them being reintroduced in the economic flow, which led to a considerable amount of positive outputs to the community, eventually contributing to the reduction of urban expansion and to the improvement of the quality of life within this ever-growing urban environment. Reusing these sites for various purposes aims at achieving social, cultural and economic goals set by the administration of the city since the introduction of the Gréber Plan in the 1950’s. Brownfield rehabilitation can thus be considered as possible antidote to the erosion of the urban fabric, but not without some ever increasing challenges. Key words: brownfield site, territorial system Ottawa - Gatineau, financial programs, Canada.

* * * * * *

INTRODUCTION The territorial system of Ottawa-Gatineau is located at the borderline between

Ontario and Quebec (Figure 1). Historically speaking, the city has developed over the lumber-timber industry, and constituted a major hub of economic development during the first half of the nineteenth century. After a period of infrastructural development from the second half of the nineteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, which was the direct result of the nomination of Ottawa as the National Capital for the newly formed federal alliance of the provinces of Canada, the Ottawa – Hull area (soon * Corresponding author


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to be the Ottawa – Gatineau area) has seen it’s urban fabric profoundly modified (Benali & Ramirez, 2012). The construction of many of the Federal agencies, the expansion of the economic influence of the city and the demographic rise of the population led to the explosion of the growth of the city. After the introduction of the Gréber Plan in the 1950’s, the city has undergone profound modifications. Entire sectors and industries have been shut down or re-localised to other parts of the city (Benali & Ramirez, 2012). The train station was moved from the downtown core to the periphery of the city. The introduction of a highway system, as well as the current development of the transit system, has profoundly modified the urban landscape. Over the years, the city has thus transformed itself, leaving here and there some scars and souvenirs. One of these, of course, is the proliferation of brownfields.

Figure 1. The geographical position of the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau

(Source: www.geobase.ca; www.nrcan.gc.ca)

The problem of brownfield sites located on the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau and other Canadian metropolitan areas has received the attention of the Canadian federal government in the 1980’s, when it was found that brownfields could be transformed for the benefit of the community, but also could generate new forms of revenues such as the reinforcement of the tax base. Although, historically speaking, the attention over brownfield rehabilitation had begun since the 1970’s, with the academic publications of environmentalists, mostly doing research in the United States and in Europe. The first real achievements came from the publications and recommendations given by the NRTEE (National Round Table on the Economy and the Environment). This process of site transformation and rehabilitation became largely known during the 1990’s. The Canadian government providing after 2000, through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, a series of financial programs that allocated financial incentives for this process,

Achievements and Challenges: the Many Faces of Brownfield Sites in the Territorial System Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada

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thus bringing benefits both to the investor and the local economy. At the provincial level, Ontario and Quebec have created multiple programs to stimulate the rehabilitation of derelict sites in order to minimize urban expansion, renew the tax base for the municipalities, rehabilitate historical significant sites and of course, encourage private investors to invest locally. It was necessary at the for investors to properly evaluate the brownfields in order to minimize any health and safety threats, as well as liability. Public-private partnerships, as well as a national brownfield market have emerged since then. Multiple firms and corporations now specialized in the rehabilitation of brownfield sites since the emergence of the brownfield market, now possible with the implication of the provincial and federal governments.

In the territorial system of Ottawa – Gatineau, the constructed area increased by only 5% during 1966-2000 period (Figure 2 and Figure 3), due partially to the recovery of brownfields, while the farmland area have reduced by 9%. In order to further reduce the urban expansion, it is necessary to continue the recovery and rehabilitation of brownfields. This process of land recycling could in fact restrain the reduction of the greenbelt1, which is presently a major issue for the city.

29%

10%43%

12%2%

0,01%

4%

a

15%

34%

0,01%

15%

29%

3% 4%

WatersForestsBuilding AreaAgricultural landUnproductive LandPlantsWetlands

b

Figure 2. Land use in the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau in the years 1966 (a) and 2000 (b)

(Source: www.geobase.ca; www.nrcan.gc.ca)

CONCEPTS: BROWNFIELD, GREENFIELDS AND GREYFIELDS Whether we talk about brownfields, or greyfields in some special cases, they all

represent challenges for policy makers in terms of environmental and health risks, as well as in terms of private investments. The term brownfield became known in the early 1990’s, when researchers have realized that those potentially contaminated sites could be rehabilitated and redeveloped for various purposes (Hollander et al., 2010). Also, it is important to note that the term brownfield went through many semantic changes over the years, namely: contaminated site - a site that has soil, groundwater or surface water contaminated with metallic and nonmetallic elements well above the level set by environmental authorities, and as potentially contaminated sites - suspected of being contaminated due to previous use or due to fuel spills (De Sousa, 2008). In Canada, it is estimated that there is over 200,000 contaminated sites (Miller et al., 2010). However, there is also a large number of uncontaminated sites, whose previous activities didn’t have negative effects on the local community and 1 The greenbelt is an approximately 11 kilometres thick band of greenfields, created by urban planner Jacques Gréber, in order to control and stop the urban expansion of the National Capital Region. The greenbelt today represents a major halt to the expansion of the core area, but has led to the creation of peripheral areas, such as Orleans, Kanata, Barrhaven, etc.(Benali and Ramirez, 2012).


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environment once they were abandoned, but have infrastructures that present challenges for the redevelopment of these particular sites. These can include non-polluted factories, abandoned department stores, non-polluted storage facilities, as well has historical buildings. In terms of classification, these sites present a challenge for policy makers and urban planners.

Figure 3. Constructed area within the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau in 2000 and 1966

(Source: www.geobase.ca; www.nrcan.gc.ca) The United States Environmental Protection Agency has defined early on that

brownfields are “commercial sites abandoned or underused whose rehabilitation and expansion process entails other costs, time and uncertainty”. More recently, the US-EPA proposed a slightly different and more exhaustive definition for a brownfield, which consists of a: “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant”2. This last definition is the one that is mostly and internationnaly use by professionnals in the brownfield rehabilitation market and industry.

However, the United States Office of Technology has offered a similar assessment, although the definition is much broader, namely: a brownfield is “a site whose redevelopment may be hindered not only by environmental contamination, but also by poor locations, old infrastructure or other less tangible factors” (Davis, 2002).

Also, Canada's National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE 1998:4) defines a brownfield as follows: “abandoned or underutilized properties whose past actions have led to their contamination, but who represent, nevertheless, 2 http://epa.gov/brownfields/overview/glossary.htm.


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potential for different uses and provide economically viable business opportunities” (De Sousa, 2000). Finally, according to Lesagre et al., (2007), brownfields are vacant or underutilized sites, but that can be reused only if they are first restored.

These multiple definitions by various experts and agencies pose a conflicting challenge: how to specifically define a brownfield. There are many definitions available, and all of them are justified in their context. For the purpose of this study, we have may retained the following definition (as the sum of all aboved mentionned definitions); a brownfield is a former industrial or commercial abandoned area that may be contaminated with various toxic chemical products, and that can endanger both the health of the population nearby and the local environment. Those sites also possess the potential for an ecological rehabilitation.

At the same time, the researchers’ attention is directed to greenfields land and greyfields. Greenfield is a term used to describe an urban or rural land that is undeveloped or used for agriculture (Miller et al., 2010). Greyfield is a term that came into use in the early 2000s and is used in Canada to describe, from an economic point of view, the areas that cannot be used in agriculture or as a support for real estate due to their degradation (Miller et al., 2010). In some rare cases, such as we will see in the following sections, greyfields are part of the brownfield issue. Areas like the C.I.P in Hawkesbury, Ontario (to be discussed further), could be classified as a greyfield, as it is inactive, cannot be used for any purpose at the present time, and has little real estate value without any rehabilitation work.

METHODOLOGY The information analysed in this study were obtained from the use of an efficient

geographical research system (combining both a keyword search and archival data available through various data bases), as well as from the research conducted in the field. The methodology support is based on the analysis of the elements forming the territorial system (Ianoş, 2000) and their essential role in defining it. Thus, we have studied several brownfields that represent important elements for the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada. These were analyzed from a quantitative and qualitative point of view. Elements such as the market value of those sites, historical site documentation, analysis reports from the city hall, economic indicators, urban plans and archival documents were selected for the purpose of this study. The data regarding the brownfield sites from the territorial system have been obtained through the bibliographic documentation method (Cocean, 2005), direct observation; analysis and profile processing (Cocean, 2005) and finally mapping (Iuliana Armas, 2006).

TYPES OF BROWNFIELDS AND THEIR LOCATION

The expansion of constructed areas is an inevitable trend and the space management for both current and potential consumption constitutes a major issue. Under these conditions, the rehabilitation and redevelopment of brownfields has become a necessity, and their management is a major problem worldwide (Petrea et al., 2011). In the late 1970s, policy makers from Canada, United States and Europe have become increasingly interested in the serious problems of contaminated sites, especially those located in urban areas (De Sousa, 2000). Such sites may contain hazardous materials, such as benzene, dioxins, etc., that pose a risk to human health and to the environment. During this period the interest of developers for these sites was minimal because they considered that the rehabilitation process and the redevelopment would involve high costs, plus they feared the side effects that may appear later in the rehabilitation process. However, at the end of the 1980’s, the issue of derelict terrains became more visible due to the increasing presence of numerous abandoned industries


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or urban and rural commercial properties that were suspected to be contaminated because of their former activities. Nowadays, approximately 25% of Canada’s urban land is contaminated due to previous industrial activities (De Sousa, 2001). In addition, many industries have worked in the territorial system of Ottawa-Gatineau, some of these industries including: old factories, abandoned petrol stations, timber deposits, etc. (Table 1). However, many were closed or moved and the terrains left behind became brownfields as the year were passing by. Moreover, there were some brownfields that were attractive to developers and investors due to their location, to the existing infrastructure and to their accessibility, an example being the site known as “LeBreton Flats” which was a deposit of wood products and a deposit for dirty snow (Figure 4). The rehabilitation and redevelopment of this site into the Canadian War Museum (Figure 5) represented an important step in the development of local tourism, thereby contributing to the economic development of Ottawa.

Figure 4. Brownfield site “Lebreton

Flats” from Ottawa, was a deposit of wood products and a deposit for dirty snow

(Source: Canadian War Museum from Ottawa)

Figure 5. Currently, the Brownfield site „Lebreton Flats” restored, remodelled

and transformed into the Canadian War Museum from Ottawa, Canada

The following table represents the nine sites that were selected for the purpose of

this study. In the table, six of the nine sites are directly located in the Ottawa – Gatineau area, where as the last three are located in municipalities in the vicinity of Ottawa, mainly Hawkesbury, Ontario, as well as Cornwall, Ontario. These former industrial cities have a long history of commercial, retail and industrial activities with the Ottawa region. Unfortunately, the major factories in these communities have now closed and pose serious health and environmental issues. Chemical contamination of the soils and rusty infrastructures are just some of the noticeable phenomenons on-going in these areas. To that list, we have to add a low job rate and a high unemployment rate for the entire sub-area following the closure of these factories, a high crime rate due to the lack of activities in these neighbourhoods, a deterioration of the quality of life, a low economic index for the sub-region, etc. With time, these trends are likely to go up if no action is to be taken.

THE CURRENT STAGE OF BROWNFIELDS IN THE TERRITORIAL

SYSTEM OF OTTAWA-GATINEAU, ONTARIO Regarding the current stage of brownfields in the territorial system of Ottawa-

Gatineau (Table 1 and Table 2), it can be noted that some of these sites were subjected only to historical and empirical research, both by scholars and municipal regulators, while


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others have been renovated and redeveloped into museums, mixed residential areas (Figure 8), space used by universities (Figure 6) or future shopping plaza (Figure 9). Some sites, like the Chaudière area, have a special historical significance to the local population. Finally, some sites were simply abandoned (Figure 7) and are of no interest for the local investors, probably due to high rehabilitation and redevelopment costs and also due to the old infrastructure.

Since the economic crisis of 2008, it is more and more difficult to find local investors who want to be involved in such projects as brownfield rehabilitation. The need for investors to create a risk-free environment contradicts directly with the need of the local community for revitalizing those areas. Brownfields represent a risky type of business, as liability issues, environmental degradation and public concerns can be more demanding than any other type of real estate entrepreneurship. On the other hand, the benefits to the local economy, the local environment and population can in some cases outweigh the wish for a risk-free type of project. As a matter of fact, so far, the example of the LeBreton Flats is the best case study for the region of Ottawa – Gatineau. The economic output of the project was much more than expected, and at the present, the phase two of the development is running its course. The results of the LeBreton Flats development could be replicated for other brownfields in the National Capital Region, but only if every urban actor would be engaged in such a project. In the case of the C.I.P sites in Hawkesbury, Ontario, or the Domtar site in Cornwall, Ontario for example, all parties involved in the project, such as the local population, the urban planners, the private firms, the city hall administration, the local NGO’s and the local medias must work together, in a symbiotic way. Different opinions must be heard and considered in order to satisfy all the parties involved.

Table 1. Brownfield's sites in the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau - Ontario,

Canada and their location (Data source: data collected in the field)

Nr.crt. Brownfield sites Tipul de brownfield Localizare

1 Les Chaudières Abandonned multi-industry site

Vieux-Hull District, Gatineau (lângă podul Chaudière)

2 Domtar Ltd Abandonned factory Vieux-Hull District, Gatineau

3 LeBreton Flats

Abandonned deposite site of wooden products and dirty snow deposite at the beginning of the 20th century until the middle of the 20th century

Ottawa – west end of the downtown core (presently hosts the Canadian War Museum, a variety of condos and multiple attractions)

4 Texaco terminal (Coastal Canada Petroleum)

Abandonned oil / fuel installations

300 West Hunt Club Road, Ottawa

5

Algonquin College’s Rideau campus

Abandonned college facility Lees Avenue, Ottawa

6

City centre lands Abandonned city proprety 100 Landry street, Vanier district, Ottawa

7 C.I.P. Abandonned pulp and paper mill

Hawkesbury, Ontario (90 km from Ottawa)

8 Canadian Industries Ltd. Site (now Pioneer Chemical)

Abandonned chemical factory Cornwall, Ontario (100 km from Ottawa)

9

Domtar Ltd. Abandonned chemical /pulp and paper factory

Cornwall, Ontario (100 km from Ottawa)


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Figure 6. Brownfield site Algonquin College’s

Rideau campus Figure 7. Brownfield site Les Chaudières

Table 2. The current stage of brownfields in the territorial system of Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario

(Data source: data collected in the field)

Nr.crt. Brownfield sites Specifications

1 Les Chaudièresiul Has been the subject of historical research done by Louise N. Boucher, Ph.D

2 Domtar Ltd was opened until recently (middle of the 2000), factory and installations are still there

3 Le Breton Flats

Large site, but has already been transformed and is in the process of multiple transformations right now, more housing is planned in the coming years to be constructed on the site.

4 Texaco terminal (Coastal Canada Petroleum)

to be transformed into a shopping plaza

5 Algonquin College’s Rideau campus Space used by the University of Ottawa

6 City centre lands Residential area

7 C.I.P.

Contains a polluted lagoon, not developed. City and province officials are still arguing about decontamination. Has a historical significance inside the city and it’s population.

8 Canadian Industries Ltd. Site (now Pioneer Chemical)

Large industrial site, has a historical significance inside the city

9 Domtar Ltd. Large industrial site, has a historical significance inside the city

Of course, derelict site rehabilitation presents some technical challenges. One

of them is the question surrounding the financial aspect of such projects. As far as the present situation goes, private firms still don’t possess all the require funds in order to fully restore a previously contaminated site. Such site rehabilitation projects are estimated in the tens of millions of dollars. In order to compensate for these challenges, provincial agencies have created over the years a series of programs in order to help private investors and local communities to deal with brownfields. The following section will look at a large fraction of these possible applicable programs to the Ottawa-Gatineau area.


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Figure 8. Brownfield site City centre lands Figure 9. Brownfield site Texaco terminal

PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE INCENTIVES AND ENCOURAGE THE

REHABILITATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF BROWNFIELDS IN CANADA In 2007, the Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and

Housing, has adopted a series of favourable reforms regarding brownfields in the province of Ontario and their productive use, taking into account the environmental, health and public safety. On 29 December 2009, the Ministry of Environment for the province of Ontario has made a number of regulatory changes in order to implement these reforms3.

In addition, many municipalities from Ontario offer incentives to encourage the conversion of brownfields. The new report Municipal Financial Incentives for Brownfield Redevelopment provides information on the planning and the financial instruments available to municipalities in order to encourage the conversion of brownfields. The power to provide incentives is governed by Section 106 of the Municipal Act, 20014.

In a similar move, the Municipality of Ottawa has adopted its own policy on brownfield rehabilitation. Though it does not cover the entire National Capital Region (excluding of course the area of Gatineau-Hull), this brownfield rehabilitation program5 was born in order to improve the quality of life for the citizens of all of the city’s neighbourhood, as well as the downtown area.

PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES At the provincial level, other than the municipal improvement plan designed by the

planning office of the city hall in Ottawa, the programs that provide financial incentives for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of brownfields in the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau are:

The Community Improvement Plans - used by municipalities to establish a framework for the rehabilitation of existing municipal built areas. They may include land related financial incentive programs: for example, grants and loans, which could encourage and stimulate investments from the private sector in areas with municipal priority.

The Brownfields Financial Tax Incentive Program- a program that allows municipalities to provide tax assistance to owners in relation with the environmental rehabilitation of properties in a given area.

The Tax Increment Financing - a fiscal tool used by municipalities to help with the conversion of brownfields and with the development of public infrastructure.

The Action plan for contaminated sites - worth $ 3.5 billion, was set in 2005 by the Government of Canada, covering a period of 15 years. It will properly manage the 3 http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page220.aspx 4 http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page223.aspx 5 http://ottawa.ca/en/city_hall/planningprojectsreports/planning/brownfields/.


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contaminated sites, focusing on reducing risks to human health and environment. Currently, the Action Plan for Federal Contaminated Sites includes 16 departments, federal agencies and consolidated corporations - Crown (called guards). The guards liaise closely with consultants, contractors and vendors and manage health risks from contaminated sites.

Also, there are three specialized departments, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans that are designed to the revision of projects documentation in order to ensure that the risks to human health and environment from those sites were taken into account in the proposals. These departments, however, play a smaller role in the evaluation of brownfields if we compare them to private corporations. The above-mentioned departments only have the ability to archive documentation or make assessments, but it is to the private sector or other crown corporations to actively take in charge the rehabilitation of brownfields across Canada.

Other similar programs that provide incentives for the rehabilitation and the redevelopment of brownfields in the province of Ontario are:

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund - a program that provides loans and grants, as well as education and training services in order to support municipal initiatives that improve air, water, soil quality and climate protection.

The Infrastructure Ontario program- a program dedicated to renovating the buildings in which hospitals, courts operate, as well as other essential public goods from the province of Ontario, taking into account the allocated time and budget.

The Rural Economic Development (RED) program – a program that invests in projects that support sustainable rural communities and community partnerships that are involved in the rehabilitation of brownfields.

Building Canada Fund - in 2008, the program Building Canada Fund-Communities Component was launched, worth EUR 200 million and focused on the financing of infrastructure in small towns (under 100,000 inhabitants) and rural communities from Ontario.

CONCLUSIONS In this study, it was possible to determine with the available data that a lot of

achievements were made over the last 25 years in terms of brownfield revitalization in Canada. Various programs have been initiated both by the private and public sector in order to restore part of the urban ecosystem to better standards. The first step for the authorities was to provide clear definitions of brownfields, greenfields and greyfields, as well as set up a working administrative environment. At the end of the 1980’s, the NRTEE has set up the basis needed for such works. During the 1990’s, the first projects emerged to revitalize parts of the downtown area. And finally, during the 2000’s’ big entrepreunarial projects have finally surfaced in order to restore large areas of the city (e.g. LeBreton flats). The results of this study also show that most brownfields in the territorial system Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada have been of interest for investors and for the Government of Canada which, through the provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, has provided a number of financial programs that allocated amounts of money for their rehabilitation and redevelopment. Reusing brownfields for different purposes (factories, museums, residential areas, areas used by universities, etc.) entailed the reduction of urban expansion, saved protected greenfields such as the Greenbelt, created new jobs, and stimulated the local econmy, thus contributing to the both economies from the Ontario and Quebec side of the National Capital, and improving the quality of life for the residents.

However, some brownfields were not of interest for investors due to old infrastructure or simply due to the fact that their rehabilitation and redevelopment costs exceed their initial value. This is the case notably for the C.I.P area in Hawkesbury, Ontario, as well as the old factories in Cornwall, Ontario. Re-developing those specific


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areas will present major challenges. Contaminants in the soil, rusting infrastructures and the local population nearby present some of the challenges that the promoters need to face. In order to rehabilitate those contaminated terrains, government incentives and special programs that meet the requirements of these special cases must be introduced. It is only if the private and public sector collaborate, exchange ideas and work together, that these derelict sites will be finally restore, after a long period of inactivity.

As more and more parts of the Gréber plan of the 1950’s are being introduced or redesigned for the needs of the 21st Century Ottawa-Gatineau region, the reuse of brownfields may pose some interesting opportunities for urban planners. Jacques Gréber, when conceiving the master plan for the Ottawa region, had a certain optimistic and positivist vision of the National Capital Region. Even if for pragmatic reasons this vision has been altered over the years, the regeneration of brownfields may be one of the many ways to achieve in an ecological manner the vision of Gréber, one of a green, vibrant and ecological city.

Aknowlegments This contribution presents some results from the research projects entitled “Trans-Atlantic Network

Established for Converting Brownfields Into Community Assets” and with the support of POSDRU /107/1.5/S/80272, Project ID80272 (2010), co-financed by the European Social Fund-Investing in People, within the Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013. The authors acknowledge to anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful suggestions and comments. The authors would also wish to thanks professor Huhua Cao, professor Alexandru Ilieş, professor Olivier Dehoorne and professor Omer Chouinard for their involvement in the creation of this international research project.

REFERENCES Armaş, Iuliana, (2006), Teorie şi metodologie geografică, Editura Fundaţiei România de Mâine, Bucureşti. Benali, K. and Ramirez, C. (2012), Le plan de Jacques Gréber pour la capitale nationale : un héritage

urbanistique décrié, Cahiers de géographie du Québec, Vol. 56, No. 157, p. 51-80. Cocean, P., (2005), Geografie regională, Editura Universitară Clujeană, Cluj-Napoca. Davis, T., S., (2002), Brownfields: a comprehensive guide to redeveloping contaminated property, 2nd Edition,

American Bar Association, Dewberry, Sidney. De Sousa, C., (2000), The brownfield problem in urban Canada: issues, approaches and solutions, Thèse de

doctorat. Universitey of Toronto. De Sousa, C., (2001), Contaminated sites: The Canadian situation in an international context, Journal of

Environmental Management, Academic Press, p.131-154. De Sousa, C., (2008), Brownfields redevelopment and the quest for sustainability, Universitey of Wisconsin-

Milwaukee, USA. Hollander, J., B., Kirkwood, N., G., Gold, Julia, L., (2010), Principles of brownfield regeneration: clean up,

design and reuse of derelict land, Island Press, USA. Ianoş, I., (2000), Sisteme teritoriale, Editura Tehnică, Bucureşti. Lesagre, P., Ekvall, T., Deschênes, L, Samson, R., (2007): Environmental Assessment of Brownfield

Rehabilitation Using Two Different Life Cycle Inventory Models. Part 2: Case Study. Int J LCA 12 (7), Canada, p. 497–513.

Miller, F., P., Vandome, A., F., McBrewster, J. (2010), Brownfield land, Alphascript Publishing, Beau Bassin, Mauritius.

Petrea, D., (2005), Obiect, metodă şi cunoaştere geografică, Editura Universiteăţii din Oradea, Oradea. Petrea, Rodica, Petrea, D., Nemeş, V., (2011), The Brownfield of Pădurea Neagră (Crişul Repede Valley),

Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, no. 33 E/2011, Cluj-Napoca, p. 233-243. ***(2012), Data from the archive of Canadian War Museum. http://www.federalcontaminatedsites.gc.ca/index-fra.aspx (accesed on 26.05.2012). http://www.forbes.ro/Ce-inseamna-dezvoltari-de-tip-brownfield-si-la-ce-sunt-bune_0_4844.html (accesed on

10.05.2012). http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page223.aspx (accesed on 25.05.2012).

Submitted: Revised: Accepted and published online 08.06.2012 28.09.2012 29.09.2012



TTYYPPEESS AANNDD FFOORRMMSS OOFF TTOOUURRIISSMM IINN TTHHEE VVAADDUU CCRRIIŞŞUULLUUII -- ŞŞUUNNCCUUIIUUŞŞ AARREEAA,, RROOMMAANNIIAA

Cezar MORAR* University of Oradea, Department of Geography, Tourism and Territorial Planning,

1 Universităţii St., Oradea 410087, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to approach the various typologies proposed to classify the types and forms of tourism that are based on different criteria, considering the development of tourism in Romania that had an ascendant evolution during the last years and its numerous types and forms of manifestation. The particularities of tourism types in the study area, represented by the Vadu Crişului and Şuncuiuş Territorial Administrative Units from Bihor County, Romania, in the context of interdependence with the tourism potential and motivation as important criteria are presented, underlying in the same time the connection between the typologies and the regional characteristics. In the end, using the questionnaire as research method, the forms of tourism in the study area were identified as ways to conduct the tourism activities depending on the external influences. Key words: tourism types and forms, cultural tourism, health care tourism recreational tourism, polyvalent tourism, Şuncuiuş, Vadu Crişului, Bihor County

* * * * * *

INTRODUCTION Tourism typology of the forms and types constitutes a very important tool for tourism

management and planning, being essential elements in local development policies through tourism. The characteristics of each region determines the diversity of the tourist activities, therefore attracts different types of tourists (Cocossis, Constantoglou, 2006). Moreover, each place attracts different type of tourists because of the differences recognized between the motives and the characteristics of the journey (Mansfeld, 1992). The study connects the tourist resources from the Şuncuiuş and Vadu Crişului Territorial Administrative Units, from Bihor County, Romania, generated by the natural environment and by the human factor, with the possibility of creating various types and forms of tourism, leading to a sustainable development environment at the local and regional level. Finally, this mostly conceptual paper provides only some aspects of the complex framework of tourist forms and types typologies.

DATA AND METHODS The complexity of the conceptual scientific approach in this article is based on a

broad and comprehensive methodology that involves a number of geographical * Corresponding author

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research methods, both classic and modern. The bibliographic documentation phase has an important role, the bibliography addressed, both Romanian and foreign literature, related directly or indirectly to issues addressed in the paper, offering a critical, analytical and scientific approach. Further, the field observation increases the understanding of the dynamic geographical reality (Cocean, 2005) especially to the valuable items for tourism, generated by the natural environment and by the human factor. The questionnaire, designed to contain clearly formulated questions, was used as another research method to identify the forms of tourism in the study area, this allowing specific addressing of the social groups, also interviewing people with different educational levels (Cocean, 2005). The analysis followed the methods of information storage, when the volume of data obtained by the above mentioned means came into processing. The analysis and synthesis followed the processing phase, the results used in an appropriate way as arguments for defining conclusions.

DISCUSSIONS AND RESULTS The Geographical Outline Located in eastern Bihor County, Romania in the north-western part of the

Apuseni Mountains, the study area is composed from the Şuncuiuş and Vadu Crişului Territorial Administrative Units. It is bordered to the north by the Plopişului Mountains (Şes) and to the south by the Pădurea Craiului Mountains. Placed on the western part of the study area, Vadu Crişului is located at an altitude of 270 m out of the defile of Crişul Repede River (Figure 6), on the E60 motorway (DN1) Oradea-Cluj-Napoca, at a distance of 50 km from Oradea and 100 km to Cluj-Napoca. The composing settlements of this T.A.U. are Vadu Crişului, Birtin, Topa de Criş, Tomnatic all together covering an area of 7470 ha1. The Şuncuiuş T.A.U. is situated in the eastern part of the study area, on the upper course of the Crişul Repede River, in the Pădurea Craiului Mountains. It includes four villages: Şuncuiuş, Bălnaca, Zece Hotare and Bălnaca Groşi covering a total land area of 7204 ha2.

The largest part of the study area overlaps the Pădurea Craiului Mountains, with the northern part located in the upper basin of the Crişul Repede River, in the Vad-Borod Basin. Representing a typical graben (Berindei et al., 1977), this basin is a “golf” depression, framed by the Plopişului Mountains in the north and the Pădurea Craiului in the south. The relief variations within the Vad-Borod basin are a consequence of tectonic movements and external shaping agents (Berindei et al., 1977). To the east, the Şuncuiuş settlement is located in a small depression with unique landscape, a result of the geological and geomorphological structure. The Crişul Repede Defile (Figure 4) runs between the localities of Bologa (Cluj County) and Vadu Crişului, having a length of about 48 km. Consists of two main sections, Bucea-Şuncuiuş and Şuncuiuş-Vadu Crisului, the last having a length of 3 km, representing a protected area declared scientific reserve (Figure 1) in 1955, taken into custody of the Crişuri County Museum from Oradea, being crossed on its entire length by the railway Cluj-Napoca-Oradea (Cocean, 1988, Novac, 2006) (Figure 2). Further south, the geological composition of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains and the geomorphological processes are reflected in the morphology, more than half of their area consisting of limestone and dolomite. As mentioned, the Mesozoic limestone are widely spread in the the Pădurea Craiului Mountains, the altitudes are below 1000 m, the vast plateaus containing important tourist attraction. This „high karst plateaus” unit (Bleahu, 1982) appears suspended in relation to marginal depressions, creating the impression of a massive unit. Having altitudes between 600-800m, the relief is divided by deep, wild and inaccessible valleys, 1 The Localities Database (1991-2008), The Bihor County Institute of Statistics 2 The Localities Database (1991-2008), The Bihor County Institute of Statistics

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into karst plateaus (Berindei et al., 1979), leading to an intense fragmentation of the landscape. These plateaus with large fields of sinkholes are dominated by isolated peaks offering broad perspectives to the numerous karst depressions and to the main mountain range predominantly oriented northwest-southeast (Novac, 2006). Among the most widespread karst forms we mention the caves, the sinkholes, the karst valleys, the extensive underground karst hydro-graphic network and the karst springs (Figure 3). The tourism potential is important because of the relief carved in carbonate rocks which has the highest prevalence (Petrea, 2004) and generates specific activities such as climbing, speleology etc (Table 1). Finally, the Pădurea Craiului Mountains karst areas are favorable to developing tourist destinations due to the significant natural tourist resources (Ilieş et al., 1999).

Figure 1. Distribution of tourist resources in the Vadu Crişului-Şuncuiuş study area

Tourism typologies Tourism literature has developed a large number of tourism type’s typologies.

Many of those typologies proposed numerous attempts to classify the types of tourism that are based on different criteria, such as motivation, natural and anthropogenic tourism potential or the tourism infrastructure available. Researchers like Cocean (2007), Cocean et al. (2002), explain that there are four types of tourism (recreation and leisure, health care, cultural and complex (polyvalent)) and several forms of


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practicing tourism defined by various criteria among which we mention the distance, the trip duration, the area of origin of tourists, the number of participants, the means of transportation used, the age of participants, the social contribution, the particularities of the region of destination. Muntele & Iaţu (2003) consider four classification criteria and types of tourism: the time criterion (weekend, holiday, transit), the location and motivation criterion (coastal tourism, alpine tourism, lake tourism, river tourism, urban tourism, rural tourism, ethnographic tourism, border tourism), the unit criterion (solitary tourism, family tourism, mass tourism, expeditionary travel, wildlife tourism, pilgrimage tourism, culture and sports tourism) and the geographical criterion (specific tourism types to the temperate, polar or tropical climate). Ielenicz & Comănescu (2006) consider in their classification criteria the duration of action (weekend, longer stay), the specific of activity (the business tourism, spa tourism, cultural tourism, wildlife tourism, nautical tourism, mountain tourism, alpine tourism, winter sports), the destination (city tourism, mountain tourism, rural tourism, itinerary tourism), the form of organization (individual travel and tourism through an tourism organization or association) and finally the space (regional, national, international tourism).

Table 1. The link between attractions-resources-types of tourism-forms of tourism (source: Morar, 2012)

T.A.U. Tourist

Attractions Resources Types Forms of tourism

Nature Reserve

Crişul Repede Defile Speleology, Ecotourism,

Scientific Tourism

Youth and adults tourism; Tourism by train and auto

Crafts, folk art, pottery

Art and pottery at Vadu Crişului

Cultural Tourism Youth and adults tourism; Tourism by train and auto

Fair, festivals Vama Sării Festival Recreative Tourism Youth and adults tourism; Tourism by train and auto

Historic site The medieval Tower

Vama Sării Historic-Cultural

Tourism Youth and adults tourism;

Tourism by train

Vadu Crişului

Archaeological site

The caves from the Crişul Repede Defile

Scientific & Extreme Tourism

Youth and adults tourism; Tourism by train

Natural Reserve

The Natural Monument of the

Wind Cave

Hiking Tourism, Scientific Tourism


Archaeological site, outdoor

museum

The Museum of the Ungurul Mare Cave

Scientific & Extreme Tourism


Cave, Archaeological

sites

Mişidului Cave (Hallstatt)

Scientific Tourism , Hiking tourism,

Extreme Tourism


Pensions Şuncuiuş, Zece

Hotare Agrotourism Youth and adults tourism; Tourism by train and auto

Karst Relief Crişul Repede

Defile, Zece Hotare Plateau

Scientific Tourism, Hiking,

Extreme Tourism, Underground

Climatic Tourism


Şuncuiuş

Camping The Camping from the Crişul Repede

Defile

Recreation Tourism, Extreme Tourism


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Types of tourism in the study area In the study area, based on tourism potential and motivation as important criteria

in the tourism development, we distinguish four main types of tourism (Cocean, 2007). Cultural Tourism The cultural tourism is also known as visiting tourism, as it involves visiting

one or more tourist attractions (Cocean, 2007) and having the main motivation the existence of a rich cultural heritage. It has a large share in the study area due to the existence of many historical, religious, cultural attractions and other economic tourist objectives (brownfield sites) (Figure 1). Also, the cultural tourism involves various ethnographic elements with unique and original character, the Christian winter and wedding traditions (Petrea, 2004). In the study area the most common forms of practicing the cultural tourism are the rural tourism and tourism of visiting the brownfields sites. The rural tourism is based on the natural environment of rural settlements which enjoy a varied scenic landscape, presenting a rich variety of cultural, historical, ethnography, traditions, archaeological remains, ancient customs and traditions, authentic folklore elements that can be used in tourism (Petrea, 2004). The types of rural tourism practiced in the study area: the agrotourism, this type of tourism “involves an active visit, of a person or group, in the natural environment of rural farms, involving in the same time cohabitation, observation, assistance and co-participation in the local social community” (Cândea & Bran, 2001, 289); the “green tourism is based on a green tourist space with a landscape very close to a natural ecosystem, it is part of rural settlements with easy access, preserving a real farm life in a traditional rural setting and maintaining the local customs and traditions” (Cândea & Bran 2001, 287). The tourism of visiting the brownfield sites was developed in the study area in the period after 1990 and it is focused on visiting the cultural heritage represented by former mines, quarries, factories built in the years of Socialism in Romania. This type of tourism is widespread in the study area due to specific of the industrial-mining activities in the period 1950-1990. The local development policy should include maintaining and preserving the memory of the industrial past, this idea begins to take shape increasingly in recent years, because conversion of former industrial sites can be done into cultural destinations. This cultural heritage consists of the remains of the historical, technological, social, architectural or scientific industrial heritage. These remains include buildings and facilities, warehouses, factories, mines and processing sites, warehouses and stores energy installations energy generation and transport, other places used for social activities related to industry as such as housing, cultural centers etc. In the second half of the twentieth century, refractory clay widely exploited in the Pădurea Craiului Mountains in areas like Dumbrava-Recea-Runc and Bălnaca-Groşi, had the center of mining, sorting and loading station at Şuncuiuş.

The Health Care Tourism (Curative) in the study area includes the Climateric Tourism present in the Vad-Borod depression where the climate favors the aerotherapy, in the enclosed basins where the air circulation is much attenuated, generating a specific topoclimate located at mountain-depression contact (Gaceu, 2006). It should be noted that here the indicators of thermic comfort values are not critical, therefore the climate is a contributing factor for tourist activities, the only negative element being represented by the temperature inversions during winters. Also, the underground tourism climate, present here due to the large karst areas from the Pădurea Craiului Mountains, has special features specifically recognized for underground environmental quality, with curative role in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The parameters uniformity is based on the fact that in many underground galleries the temperature, humidity, air circulation speed have minim variations (Cocean, 1988).


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Recreational tourism The recreational tourism is preferred by a very large segment of the population,

as it addressed the need for recreation generated by the stress of everyday physically and mentally consuming urban activities (Cocean, 2007). The variety of attractive resources in the studied area where the outstanding landscape of the mountains joins the unusual aspects of the scenic views of Crişul Repede River and its tributaries’ courses, allows practicing several forms of recreational tourism, such as: the hiking tourism that a broad extension in the study area. On longer distances this type of tourism can be combined with others, such as the cultural or sports tourism, visiting several attractions within a relatively short time. Walking is of great importance in planning trips, because the vast majority of tourist attractions are accessible on foot, by marked trails (Gunn & Turgut, 2002) as in the region the routes runs from the mountain base, ascending the slopes, plateaus and mountain peaks of the Pădurea Craiului Mountains. The limestone areas from Vadu-Crişului-Şuncuiuş administrative territorial units are highly stressed due to the high attraction on sinkholes, plateaus, caves. The Leisure and Entertainment Tourism is practice generally under an unorganized form, either individual or with the family, using an existing accommodation in the countryside; it is in general combined with the characteristics of the curative and health tourism (Petrea, 2004, 22). The tourist is tempted “to observe and contemplate the nature, in the same time it can be supported by the local community, for the integration into the daily activities of the locals’, also it can get the natural nutritional products needed (milk, cheese, traditional drinks, agricultural products, dishes, etc.) or can understand the traditions and specific attitudes that place” (Petrea, 2004, 22). The Pădurea Craiului Mountains environment favors also the extreme tourism in the study area, practicing of sports tourism activities such as climbing, cycling, paragliding, angling, water sports, tourist orientation, winter sports etc. In some cases, the sport tourism turns into adventure tourism, when the aim is to practice “extreme sports” activities such as alpine crossovers, freestyle skiing, rafting, diving (Petrea, 2004, 23). The Vad-Şuncuiuş area concentrates the most climbing routes of varying degrees of difficulty, from the region. Due to the high numbers of cave speleology is practiced especially in the Crişul Repede Defile (Figure 4) and the Zece Hotare Plateau.

School Tourism is extended both during the school year but also during the holidays, having a large share due to the accommodation facilities such as La Castel Şuncuius Camp (Figure 5), here specific youth action organize activities, for example in Şuncuiuş can remember: canyon descents, climbing, flying fox, caving, bow, archery, compass orientation, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, swimming games, arts etc.

Polyvalent (combined) Represents the combination of several types of tourism in order to meet needs

knowledge and relaxation (Cocean, 2007). In this type it can be included the religious tourism, sport tourism, these having a higher percentage in the study area by the large number of participants in these tourism activities. We mention also in the study area the transit tourism and scientific tourism.

The Transit Tourism exists in the region because of the important rail and road traffic arteries that interconnect and allow the tourism flows between Oradea and Cluj Napoca by the European road 60 that connects the two cities and guides a major tourist flow from Crişana to Transylvania along the Crişul Repede River. The train halts from Vadu Crişului and Şuncuiuş should be noted as tourism transit landmarks.

The Scientific Tourism is developed mainly due to the existence of organizations and institutions of higher education and scientific research.

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Figure 2. The Cluj-Napoca-Oradea railway in the Crişul Repede Defile

Figure 3. The Izbândiş Karst Sprig, in Şuncuiuş, Bihor County

Figure 4. The Crişul Repede Defile at Şuncuiuş, Bihor County

Figure 5. The Castle from Şuncuiuş, Bihor County

Figure 6. Crişul Repede River at Vadu

Crişului, Bihor County Figure 7. Brownfield site in Şuncuiuş,

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The University of Oradea and Babeş-Bolyai have important participation rate, organizing regularly scientific meetings and specific activities with national and international participation. In addition, other entities like various local and regional NGOs, or the Crişuri County Museum brought their contribution to this type of tourism. For instance the project “Decentralized alternatives for the administration of the Nature 2000 protected areas sites” was developed by the NGOs CAPDD Bihor and ECOTOP Oradea in the period December 2008 - October 2009. The project aimed at implementing a model of sustainable and participatory management system, as an alternative to the public management systems of Nature 2000 natural protected areas sites in Romania3. The scientific tourism is favored especially by the large number of caves, along the Crişul Repede River such as the Vadu Crişului and Vântului Caves, represent just some of the tourist objectives, subject of thorough scientific research of the speleologists and archaeologists across the country. For example, in 2001, in the Ungurul Mare Cave, the archaeological research campaign discovered parts of a pirogue, revealing this way ample evidence of presence of man and human habitation, the rich archaeological heritage belonging to the Igriţa Culture4.

Forms of tourism in the study area The tourism form is defined by the external criteria to the phenomenon insuring

the activity course according to the chosen tourism type (organization and development mode, particularities of destination area, tourist’s origin, utilised transport type, tourist’s age, number of tourists, tourist’s interaction with the destination) (Cocean & Vlăsceanu 2005; Tane, 2009).

The analysis of tourists questionnaires in the tourist area Vadu Crişului-Şuncuiuş area, involved a classification methodology forms of tourism according the United Nations 5 and to the researher Cocean (2007), it reached the following conclusions (Morar, 2012):

- Analyzing the origin of tourists, it was found that 76% of respondents are Romanian tourists who participate in the formation of domestic tourism, it has the vast majority of tourists who visit the area on each year. The explanation is based by the action of complex reasons, such as the travel distance or the cost influences. The main international tourists are the Hungarians, as participating in international tourism, they representing 24% of respondents. The causes of international flows, especially Hungarian are multiple. These include the high tourist attraction degree of the Vadu-Crişului-Şuncuiuş area, the desire for knowing new phenomena and realities, also important reasons are visiting relatives and friends from Romania;

- Considering the tourist performances, the tourist phenomenon is organized in groups at a rate of 45% or it is represented by individual tourists and 55%; The organized tourism advantages results from the non-involvement of visitors in the trip organization, effectively filling the accommodation facilities. The disadvantage are represented by the lower revenues realized through a reduced purchasing power of the participants and tourists independence to a predetermined schedule (Cocean, 2007);

- The degree of mobility of tourists in the area that were applied questionnaires shows a high mobility preferred by 43% of respondents and a longer stay tourism, characterized by reduced mobility and spending holidays in one place, is preferred by 57% of respondents; 3 http://www.capdd-bihor.org/index.php/proiecte-si-programe/91-managementul-siturilor-natura-2000 4 http://www.cclbsebes.ro/docs/sebus/04_Ghemis%20Calin.pdf, Ghemis, C., (2009), A Neolithic Boat Model in the Şuncuiuş Cave of Unguru Mare, in TERRA SEBVS. ACTA MVSEI SABESIENSIS, Issue 1 / 2009 5 Forms of tourism, presented at International Workshop on Tourism Statistics UNSD/UNWTO Workshop Madrid 17/20 July 2006, source http://unstats.un.org/unsd/newsletter/unsd_workshops/tourism_ws_july_2006.htm

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- Transportation means used are the roads (54%) due to road upgrading and increasing the overall level of welfare of the population from the last years, but also the railway system because the railway along the Crişul Repede River offering maximum accessibility in the region;

- The main motivations for travel are the recreational tourism 22%, adventure tourism 32%, school tourism 16% and polyvalent tourism 12%. The reason is that the mountain environment is favorable in the study area for practicing the extreme tourism and recreational activities such as climbing, cycling, paragliding, watersports (rafting, diving) or speleology. School Tourism has a wide representation based on the presence Şuncuiuş school camp;

- The age criterion of the tourists shows that 44% of the respondents are students, 35%, are adults, percentages explained by the tourism practiced by students with recreational and cultural connotation, in the same time the adults prefer a polyvalent tourism, extreme or recreational;

- The arrangements for accommodation options shows that rural tourism and agrotourism increased their share, these forms of tourism increasing their importance in the last decade, leisure in rural areas being the specific of this tourism forms, the accmomodation structures being represented by the rustic farms, inns, campgrounds, farmhouses, pensions for example accounting for 43% of the tourist accommodation preferences.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

The nationality: Romanian

Tourist performance: individual

Degree of mobility: longer tourism stay

Means of transportion used: road infrastructure

Main motivation: extreme tourism

Age: students

Accommodation type: pensions

Average stays: 3-7 nights

Travel frequency: three times a year

Type of tourism: holidays

The main reason: extreme sports

Sources of information: friends, relatives

Figure 2. The assessment of preferences based on the application of questionnaires

to tourists in the Şuncuiuş-Vadu Crişului area (in percent) (source: Morar, 2012)

CONCLUSIONS Tourism types and forms typologies are aiming at more effective tourism

policies, also at targeting alternative local and regional development plans and marketing strategies.

The specific natural and cultural characteristic of the Şuncuiuş-Vadu Crişului region generates various tourism typologies, that have to be integrated in different approaches in tourism destination management process, as tourism development is part of the sustainable regional development mechanism. The local and regional tourism


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development is based on the resources available at the local level and also other resources have to be brought in the tourism act, generating new types of tourism to address the existing market niches. Tourism has an important interface role due to its complex connections to the other socio-economic sectors, to its superior use of the available resources, therefore it stimulates the local economic development, stimulating the socio-economic system, finally representing the chance for revitalizing this rural area.

Aknowlegments The author thanks to the financial support provided by the project Doctoral studies and PhD

students for the competitive research in the knowledge based society (2009-2012), co-financed by the European Social Fund, within the Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2012.

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Conflicts, at the 46th Congress of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) Enlargement, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, August 30th-September 2006, University of Thessaly

Cocean, P., (1988), Chei şi defilee în Munţii Apuseni, Editura Academiei, Bucureşti Cocean, P., Vlăsceanu, Gh., Negoescu, B., (2002), Geografia generală a turismului, Editura Meteor Press,

Bucureşti Cocean, P., (2005), Geografie Regională, Ediţia a II-a, Editura Presa Universitară Clujeană, Cluj-Napoca Cocean, P., Vlăsceanu, Gh., (2005), Geografia generală a turismului, Editura Meteor Press, Bucureşti Cocean, P., (2007), Geografia turismului, ediţia a II-a, Cluj-Napoca Gunn, Clare, A., Turgut, V., (2002), Tourism Planning Basics, Concepts, Cases. The Fourth Edition, Routledge,

Great Britain Ielenicz, M., Comănescu, Laura, (2006), România, Potenţial Turistic, Editura Universitară Bucureşti Gaceu, O., (2006), The Topoclimates from the Bihor and Vlădeasa Mountains, Analele Universităţii din Oradea

- Seria Geografie, Year XVI, Editura Universităţii din Oradea Ghemiş, C., (2009), A Neolithic Boat Model in the Şuncuiuş Cave of Unguru Mare, in TERRA SEBVS. ACTA

MVSEI SABESIENSIS, Issue 1 / 2009 Ilieş, Al., Josan, Ioana, Staşac, M., (1999), Les premises favorables au developpement du tourisme dans les

Monts de Pădurea Craiului, în Analele Universităţii din Oradea, Seria Geografie, Lucrările Simpozionului Internaţional „Turism şi dezvoltare teritorială”, tom IX, Editura Universităţii din Oradea

Mansfeld, Y., (1992), From motivation to actual travel, in Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 19, pp. 399–419 Morar, C., (2012), Tourism and Sustainable Regional Development in the Bihor County’s Mining Regions, The

Manuscript of the PhD Thesys, University of Oradea Muntele, I., Iaţu, C., (2003), Geografia turismului. Concepte, metode şi forme de manifestare spaţio-

temporală, Editura Sedcom Libris, Iaşi Novac, I., (2006), Munţii Pădurea Craiului – Studiu de geografie rurală, Editura TIPO MC, Oradea Petrea, Rodica, (2004), Turism rural în Munţii Apuseni, Editura Universităţii din Oradea, Oradea Tane, N., (2009), Research about the connection between different Rural Tourism Types and Forms, in the 4th

Aspects and Visions of Applied Economics and Informatics March 26 – 27, 2009, Debrecen, Hungary *** The Localities Database (1991-2008), The Bihor County Institute of Statistics *** http://unstats.un.org/unsd/newsletter/unsd_workshops/tourism_ws_july_2006.htm, Forms of tourism,

presented at International Workshop on Tourism Statistics UNSD/UNWTO Workshop Madrid, 17/20 July 2006




FFOORRMMSS OOFF PPHHYYSSIICCAALL AACCTTIIVVIITTYY PPEERRFFOORRMMEEDD BBYY HHAANNDDIICCAAPPPPEEDD PPEEOOPPLLEE IINN TTHHEEIIRR FFRREEEE TTIIMMEE..

TTHHEE EEXXAAMMPPLLEE OOFF GGDDAANNSSKK CCIITTIIZZEENNSS

RReemmiiggiiuusszz DDRRÓÓŻŻDDŻŻ** Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Tourism and Recreation Faculty, Department of Tourism

Economics, Kazimierza Górskiego Str. 1, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland e-mail: [email protected]

MMaakkssyymmiilliiaann PPAAŚŚKKOO Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Tourism and Recreation Faculty, Department of Tourism


JJuulliiaa ZZIIÓÓŁŁKKOOWWSSKKAA Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Tourism and Recreation Faculty, Department of Tourism


Abstract: The article briefly explains the problem of physical exercise performed by handicapped people in their leisure time. It shows the results of research carried out among disabled people from Gdańsk and the neighbouring areas. Special attention was given to the problem of disabled and their awareness of physical activity. Respondents were asked several questions concerning their disability and physical activity. Results of the study show that physical activity among disabled people is often restricted to the obligatory rehabilitation; financial and technical conditions are mentioned as the most important barriers refraining them from this type of leisure. Key words: physical activity, leisure, recreation, disabled people, Gdańsk

* * * * * *

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Physical activity is one of the most important elements of healthy lifestyle. Exercise

affects the centres and functions of physiological systems that are linked to it (Bytniewski, 2006). Physical activity should be undertaken on a daily basis or at least two to three times per week. It is one of the essential aspects guaranteeing a correct development of personality, health, body immunity and efficiency (Barankiewicz, 1998). Physical activity in a certain degree allows to level disability and has influence on better psychological and psychomotoric development (Karpińska-Sukiennik & Filipiak, 2005). In addition to that it has good impact on the osseous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems (Czarkowska-Pączek & Przybylski, 2006). Physical activity plays a very important role in many disease and disorder therapies (Jaskólski & Jaskólska, 2005).

As physical activity has a very positive influence on disabled people's health it is important to ask what is the actual level of physical activity among handicapped and what function it plays in their lives. Considerations should take into account different needs of * Corresponding author

Forms of Physical Activity Performed by Handicapped People in Their Free Time. The Example of Gdansk Citizens

163

man and women during planning and undertaking physical activity. It is also important to identify the obstacles arising when disabled people engage into this type of activity.

Studies show that till 2002 in Poland only 4-8% of adults where undertaking an appropriate amount of physical activity. The remaining 92% of society practiced physical exercises occasionally or never. This phenomenon is often called „physical activity privation” (Lewicki, 2003, p.22).

Leisure time is in the scope of interests of many specialists from different scientific disciplines and for that reason it is difficult to find one unequivocal definition of this phenomenon. The most common is the definition proposed by Joffre Dumazedier a French sociologist, who defines leisure as an activity that the individual may indulge of his own free will - either to rest, to amuse himself, to add to his knowledge or improve his skills disinterestedly or to increase his voluntary participation in the life of the community after discharging his professional, family and social duties (Dumazedier, 1960).

The contemporary human being, involved in professional career and attracted by an extremely intense life forgets sometimes how important leisure time is in his life. Compared to previous years, time left over from work is limited and life style devoted to consumption is source of less free time. People are unable to organize the small amount of free time they have left, often they don't see any possibilities of using it (Siwiński et al., 2003).

It is important to remember that leisure time fulfils many functions in human life, it is not only a time of laziness or active rest, as shown by Kamiński (1964) it is also a time for self-education. According to Czajkowski (Czajkowski, 1979) there are few important aspects of leisure time, it includes socio-economic, psychological, health and pedagogical aspects. Among the factors influencing the activity of people during leisure time one could name biological, psychological, socio-demographic and economic elements.

The question that arises at this moment concerns the possible ways of using leisure time by handicapped and the meanings assigned to it.

DISABILITY The number of people with disabilities is growing. One of seven polish citizens has

a disability and disabled people constitute 16% of Poland population (Bergier & Kubińska, 2006). Disabilities are caused by various factors differential in terms of quality and quantity. Table 1 shows a number of causes for disabilities and their presence among city and country inhabitants (in percentages).

Table 1. Causes of disabilities and percentage of disabled in cities and villages

(Data source: Cywińska – Wasilewska, 2004)

Cause of disability % of appearance in

cities % of appearance

in villages Cardiovascular system diseases 28,6 26,2

Respiratory system diseases 7,8 7.9 Glands of internal excretion and metabolism

diseases 3,5 4,5

Psychological disorder 6,0 9,0 Nervous system and sense organs diseases 9,1 13,5

Digestive system diseases 4,3 4,8 Osteo-muscular system and connective tissue

diseases 29,9 21,3

Traumas and poisoning 9,1 9,4 Other 1,7 3,4


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The notion of disability includes different functional restrictions of human individuals in each society. These restrictions are a result of failure in the ability of carrying out any activity in a way that is recognized as normal, typical in human life. They may have a temporary or permanent, overall or partial character and they may refer to the sensory, physical or psychological sphere (Dykcik, 1997).

It is commonly considered, that a disabled person is one for whom the handicap of psycho-physical functions causes functional limitations of life abilities and activities in a degree that hampers the possibility of undertaking appropriate social roles (Dziedzic, 1996).

Despite a constant grow in the number of disabled, knowledge about them and especially about their needs is still very small among society. A common type of unawareness occurs when adopting an overprotective attitude towards disabled or when intentionally avoiding contact with them. To overcome this negative phenomenon several actions, like social campaigns and integration programs in schools, are undertaken. These projects help change social awareness, but there is still too little of them and their effect is too small.

REHABILITATION Rehabilitation consists of restoring the altered functions of the patient. It

includes using medicine, social and professional actions. The main aim of rehabilitation is to restore the lost abilities or to develop replacement abilities that will allow the disabled to participate in everyday life as well as in social and professional activities. At this point we can also mention social rehabilitation which aims at working with those who have social problems and cause upbringing difficulties. The aim of social rehabilitation is to form correct social behaviour and ethic attitudes. We can call this „raising from the beginning”.

There is three main categories of disabled: 1. people with physical disabilities; 2. people with sensory disability; 3. people with mental or intellectual disability (Rutkowska, 2002). Another classification is proposed by WHO and it includes disabilities in: behaviour, communication, self-care, physical mobility, locomotion, skills, situations, selective abilities, other (Rutkowska, 2002). PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF DISABLED PEOPLE Physical activity is one of many forms of rehabilitation for disabled. It ensures

active physical and intellectual development as well as rest. Physical activity fulfils the needs of disabled in several fields, including sport, tourism and recreation. It is a mean to get into new relationships, to work in cooperation with others, to sympathize and to learn responsibility, to broaden knowledge and skills (Migasiewicz & Bolach, 2006 a). Physical activity ensures continuity of the rehabilitation process and confirms the effects of it (Patkiewicz, 1994).

The good influence that physical activity has on life quality of healthy and disabled is undeniable. Systematic physical exercise counteracts complications caused by dysfunctions of the body and prevents the expiration of compensation processes. Thanks


165

to physical activity efficiency and physical ability are improved, this might be especially important for people using wheelchairs who have to overcome architectural barriers and other obstacles (Migasiewicz & Bolach, 2006 b).

Sport and tourism Participation in sport and tourism activities encourages disabled people to set

new goals and to fulfil them. A disabled person practicing tourism improves his or her physical ability and cultural awareness - this may have good influence on the quality of life. When improving physical abilities disabled have more chances of earning possibilities and can ameliorate their economic and social status. Sport among disabled is nowadays an integral element of the physical culture system and the reflection of this can be seen in local and international competitions. The number of events prepared for disabled and the number of participants are increasing each year. A good example is the intense development of adapted sports and Paralympics movement all over the world (Kosmol, 2008).

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURVEYED GROUP The survey was held in April and May 2010. A group of 99 patients (including 48

women and 51 man) of the Rehabilitation and Rest Centre and the Social Help Centre in Gdańsk was surveyed. Among the group of surveyed woman almost half were aged 46–55 years. Every fifth of the woman was aged 26-35 or 36-45 years. The smallest group was aged 18-25 years. In the group of man every third of the respondents was 36-45 years, the 26-35 years old consisted a smaller group and every fifth man was aged 46-55 years. Same as among the woman respondents, the smallest group was aged 18-25 years.

Figures 1 to 5 show the characteristics of the surveyed group, including the age, place of residence, type and degree of disability and the cause of the disability of the respondents.

Figure 1. Age of the respondents distributed by sex

(Source: own research, 2010)

Almost 2/3 of respondents were from cities with over 100 000 inhabitants (marked “city II” on Figure 2). Every fourth man and almost every fifth woman were citizens of cities with 50 000 to 99 000 (marked “city I” on Figure 2) inhabitants. The smallest group consisted of country inhabitants.


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Figure 2. Place of residence distributed by sex


Figure 3. Types of disabilities distributed by sex

(Source: own research, 2010) The main type of disability among the respondents was physical disability, 6% of

the subjects were intellectually disabled. The remaining types of disabilities referred to less than 5% of the surveyed group.

One of the aims of the survey was to identify the degree and the cause of disability. More than half of the group had a moderate degree of disability, approximately 20% of the surveyed had a light degree of disability. The most common cause of disability indicated was consequence of accident or disease. Approximately 10% of the subjects were disabled from birth.


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Figure 4. Degree of disability distributed by sex


Figure 5. Cause of disability distributed by sex


PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF THE SURVEYED GROUP Disabled people rehabilitation would be inefficient without physical activity, this

activity is the basic element when working on a disabled person health improvement. The question is, whether disabled people are able to participate in recreational physical activity. More than a half of the respondents say that their disability is only a medium impediment for recreational and sport activities participation. Unfortunately, every third respondent says that being disabled is the biggest obstacle and it makes physical activity almost impossible. Table 2 shows the frequency of participation in physical exercises within the surveyed group.


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Table 2. Frequency of participation in physical exercises within the surveyed group (data source: own research, 2010)

Woman (n=48) Man (n=51) Overall (n=99) Frequency

n % n % n % At least 2 – 3 times per week 11 22,9 24 47,1 35 35,4 Once a week 13 27,1 10 19,6 23 23,2 2 – 3 times per month 8 16,7 8 15,7 16 16,2 Very occasionally 16 33,3 9 17,6 25 25,3

It has been noticed that man get more involved in any forms of physical activity

than woman. It is a result which is inversely proportional to the physical activity and its frequency among woman. It is distressing that 1/3 of woman participated in physical activity very occasionally. Among man this percentage was 17,6. Data mentioned above show that physical activity within the surveyed group was very small. Only every third person was practicing exercises systematically.

Disabled people who want to participate in physical activity are constantly facing barriers that make this participation difficult (Figure 6). In the opinion of respondents these are mostly: lack of or an unsuited recreational infrastructure, as well as lack of time. A very important factor, identified mostly by woman, are complexes referring to own disability.

Figure 6. Main barriers preventing physical activity participation among surveyed disabled

(Source: own research, 2010) For disabled people, participation in physical activities depends much of their

consciousness about the positive effects it may have on many aspects of their lives. It was very interesting to get to know the opinion of disabled about the influence of physical activity on their health (Figure 7). All of the respondents agreed that there is such a dependency and that physical activity improves health condition. In the opinion of the respondents, physical activity keeps them fit and has influence on the quality of their lives and on their comfort.

Physical activity practice, by the disabled, takes place mostly in the open air, a large group indicates also swimming, training in a gym and resting at home as a way of spending their leisure time (Table 3).


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Figure 7. Influence of physical activity on health


Figure 8. Organization of physical recreation activities


Table 3. Venues most commonly chosen for physical recreation activities (data source: own research, 2010)

Woman (n=48) Man (n=51) Overall (n=99) Venues

n % n % n % Gym 2 4,2 8 15,7 10 10,1 Fitness Club 8 16,7 0 0,0 8 8,1 Exercise hall 5 10,4 1 2,0 6 6,1 Athletic stadium 2 4,2 5 9,8 7 7,1 Swimming pool 6 12,5 11 21,6 17 17,2 Open air 11 22,9 14 27,5 25 25,3 Home 7 14,6 10 19,6 17 17,2 Other 7 14,6 2 3,9 9 9,1


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Data from Table 4 indicates that the favourite forms of physical activity among disabled people are bicycle riding, swimming and walking. These forms of activity are widely accessible and they do not require any specialist infrastructure.

The fact that the disabled are aware of the influence of physical exercise on them and on their health is satisfying.

As shown in Figure 8 Disabled are initiating by themselves their free time physical activity. The need to participate in recreation is important for over 50% of the respondents.

Table 4. Preferred forms of physical activity (possibility of choosing multiple answers)

(data source: own research, 2010)

Woman (n=48) Man (n=51) Overall (n=99) Forms of activity

n % n % n % Swimming 18 37,5 21 41,2 39 39,4 Aerobics/fitness 12 25,0 0 0,0 12 12,1 Joga 3 6,3 1 2,0 4 4,0 Gym 1 2,1 9 17,6 10 10,1 Roller skates 4 8,3 1 2,0 5 5,1 Skiing 2 4,2 3 5,9 5 5,1 Walking 19 39,6 15 29,4 34 34,3

Gardening 4 8,3 0 0,0 4 4,0 Bicycle riding 15 31,3 29 56,9 44 44,4 Angling 0 0,0 6 11,8 6 6,1 Running 4 8,3 11 21,6 15 15,2 Gymnastics 5 10,4 3 5,9 8 8,1 Ergometer 1 2,1 6 11,8 7 7,1 Sailing 1 2,1 3 5,9 4 4,0 Horse riding 3 6,3 0 0,0 3 3,0

CONCLUSIONS Physical activity is one of the means to overcome numerous barriers encountered

by disabled people. In relation to this group of people, physical activity is also known as adapted physical activity which describes an active way of managing free time. This domain includes theory and practice of rehabilitation of disabled through movement, as well as promotion of this activity among them (Kowalik, 2009).

A detailed analysis of disabled people physical activity shows that they are mostly active in recreation that does not involve special equipment and which is widely available – not restricted by financial or infrastructural barriers. Despite the fact that they are aware of the important influence it may have on their everyday life, the level of physical activity among the respondents is rather low. The attention given by disabled to physical activity is too small. Their physical activity is often limited to the one needed for prescribed rehabilitation.

An increase of physical activity among disabled people would create a natural stimulus to accelerate and support the renewal process. It would be helpful in recovery and in compensation of the damaged functions of the organism. Physical activity has good influence on the overall health condition and on the immunity of an organism confronted to pathogenic factors (Łobożewicz, 2000). Results of the survey show that there is still a small participation of disabled in active recreation. A growing awareness of the important influence that physical activity has on the health of the disabled is a positive information, encouraging to continue further research in this field.


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REFERENCES Barankiewicz, J., (1998), Leksykon Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu, WSiP, Warszawa, p.11. Bergier, J., Kubińska, Z., (2006), Kultura i rekreacja ruchowa w integracji osób niepełnosprawnych, PWSZ w

Białej Podlaskiej, p.9. Bytniewski, M,. (2006), Aktywność fizyczna najlepszy sposób na zachowanie zdrowia studentów, Annales

UMCS Lublin, vol. LX, supl. XVI, sectio D, pp.235-238. Cywińska–Wasilewska, G., (2004), Podstawowe Problemy rehabilitacji i etyka, Akademia Wychowania

Fizycznego im Eugeniusza Piaseckiego w Poznaniu, p.39. Czajkowski, K., (1979) , Wychowanie do rekreacji, Warszawa. Czarkowska – Pączek, B., Przybylski, J., (ed.) (2006), Zarys fizjologii wysiłku fizycznego, Wydawnictwo

Medyczne Urban & Partner, Wrocław, p.105. Dumazedier, J., (1960), Current problems of the sociology of leisure, in International Social Science Journal,

vol.2, nr 4, pp. 522-531. Dykcik, W., (red) (1997), Pedagogika Specjalna, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza,

Poznań, p.15. Dziedzic, J., (1996), Kultura Fizyczna Osób Niepełnosprawnych. Psychopedagogiczne studium

terminologiczne, Seria: Skrypty nr 118, AWF im. Eugeniusza Piaseckiego w Poznaniu, p.61. Jaskólski, A, Jaskólska, A., (2005), Podstawy fizjologii wysiłku fizycznego z zarysem fizjologii człowieka,

Wydawnictwo AWF Wrocław, pp.402-403. Kamiński, A., (1964), Kultura mas a wczasy, Kultura i społeczeństwo,Nr.3. Karpińska-Sukiennik L., Filipiak J. (2005), Aktywność ruchowa – jej znaczenie i rola w edukacji osób

niepełnosprawnych intelektualnie, Lider, nr 4, p.21. Kosmol, A., (ed.) (2008), Teoria i praktyka sportu niepełnosprawnych, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego w

Warszawie, p.28. Kowalik, S., (ed.) (2009), Kultura fizyczna osób z niepełnosprawnością: dostosowana aktywność ruchowa,

Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Psychologiczne, Gdańsk, p.614. Lewicki, R., (2003), Sport osób niepełnosprawnych – pozytywny czy negatywny wpływ na zdrowie, in Sport

powszechny w integracji z niepełnosprawnymi we wspólnej Europie, Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa w Białej Podlaskiej, p.22.

Łobożewicz, T., (2000), Turystyka i rekreacja ludzi niepełnosprawnych, WSE, Warszawa, p.17. Migasiewicz, J., Bolach, E., (ed.) (2006a), Aktywność ruchowa osób niepełnosprawnych, t.2, Akademia

Wychowania Fizycznego we Wrocławiu Polskie Towarzystwo Walki z Kalectwem Oddział Wojewódzki we Wrocławiu, p.11.

Migasiewicz J., Bolach E. (ed.) (2006b), Aktywność ruchowa osób niepełnosprawnych, t.3, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego we Wrocławiu Polskie Towarzystwo Walki z Kalectwem Oddział Wojewódzki we Wrocławiu, pp. 289-290.

Patkiewicz, J,. (1994), Aktywność sportowo – turystyczna osób niepełnosprawnych – skuteczna forma rehabilitacji, in Warsztat Terapii Zajęciowej, nr 1, pp.29-33.

Rutkowska, E., (ed..) (2002), Rehabilitacja i pielęgnowanie osób niepełnosprawnych, Wydawnictwo Czelej PZWL, pp.26-28.

Siwiński, W., et al., (ed.) (2003), Czas wolny, rekreacja, turystyka, hotelarstwo, żywienie (wyniki badań naukowych), Polskie Stowarzyszenie Naukowe Animacji Rekreacji i Turystyki, Wyższa Szkoła Hotelarstwa i Gastronomii w Poznaniu, p.54.

Central Statistical Office of Poland: www.stat.gov.pl.




TTHHEE DDEETTEERRMMIINNAATTIIOONN OOFF TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSTTIICC PPOOTTEENNTTIIAALL FFOORR TTHHEE SSEETTTTLLEEMMEENNTTSS FFRROOMM

OOZZAANNAA--TTOOPPOOLLIIŢŢAA DDEEPPRREESSSSIIOONN

Cristina LETOS* „Al. I. Cuza” University of Iaşi, Faculty of Geography-Geology, Department of Geography

Bd. Carol I, 20A, 700505, Iaşi, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

Dumitru LETOS

„Al. I. Cuza” University of Iaşi, Faculty of Geography-Geology, Department of Geography Bd. Carol I, 20A, 700505, Iaşi, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The touristic attractiveness of the settlements from Ozana-Topoliţa Depression can be pointed out through the agency of a detailed analyse concerning the sum of potentialities offered by natural, anthropological and economical premises in order to create touristic valences. The multilevels of touristic potential together with touristic valences of every locality inside a specific matrix can offer real possibilities for the relevant types of tourism practicable in this area. The analyse reveals a general composite touristic profile for the whole area besides a particular profile for every settlement in order to support a possible future capitalization. Key words: potential, valences, matrix, types of tourism, touristic profile

* * * * * *

The identification of tourism types adequate to every locality requires the knowledge of geographical, social, cultural and economic specifications. This knowledge can help the determination of touristic profile and of the touristic attractiveness potential. These two major components are the basic elements in achieving the matrix for determining the tourism types specific to every settlement from the administrative-territorial unities inside Ozana-Topoliţa Depression.

The touristic potential is defined as „the assembly of natural, historical, cultural, social, demographical, technical and economical components scientifically recognized (quantitative and qualitative) and practically prooved and which confer the possibility of touristic capitalization and give a certain functionality for tourism” (Glăvan, 1996), „as a sum of some objective conditions, natural or social, but subjective, referring mainly to motivations and necessities which are submited to a continuous dynamic” (Muntele & Iaţu, 2003), “a complex of material and nonmaterial elements to provide satisfaction of needs and benefits to the tourist, offered for consumption” (Krippendorf, 1980).

We consider that the touristic attractiveness of the settlements is confered by the sum of potentialities and possibilities offered by the natural and human-economical * Corresponding author

The Determination of the Touristic Potential for the Settlements from Ozana-Topoliţa Depression

173

premises in order to create touristic valences. In order to determine this indicator, it is necessary to identify and to analyze the local parameters. Potentially pointing out during an analysis detailing the substratums of touristic potential on many analitical levels.

In 2010, in the depression, there are 6 administrative-territorial unities as communes: Agapia, Bălţăteşti, Ghindăoani, Grumăzeşti, Petricani and Vânători Neamţ. These communes include 23 of rural settlements and only one urban locality, Târgu Neamţ (Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register cards of localities: Agapia, Băltătesti, Ghindăoani, Grumăzesti, Petricani, Târgu Neamţ, Vânători Neamţ, 2010), (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The typology of the settlements in Ozana-Topoliţa Depression

(Source: Dimitriu, 2007) For the settlements from Ozana-Topoliţa Depression, many substratums have been

identified and analyzed: the natural framework, historical, cultural, social, economical, the touristic infrastructure and the accessibility. These characteristics are detailed by on one or many levels of research that are grouped into 5 classes of values, according to the role for determinating the touristic valences (Table 2). For every multilevels analyzed substratum, the final score will be done by the arithmetical average of capitalized components. The final score will place the locality on a certain level of intensity concerning the potential appreciation of touristic attractiveness.

The natural framework substratum is analyzed on 3 structural levels, the natural potential supplied by geographical position (Topographic map 1: 25.000) the complexity of relief and subsoil resources which offer touristic exploitation capacity


174

(Davidescu, 2000). The historical substratum is ordered by the age (Memoria Antiquitatis, vol. XIII, 1999) while the cultural substratum is determined by the ethnographic heritage (Florescu, 1983).

The economical substratum is influenced by the functional typology and the socio-economical substratum is determined by the general indicator of development potential1. The substratum of touristic infrastructure is detailed according to quantitative elements (number of touristic objectives and number of accommodation places) and qualitative elements (attractiveness and comfort degrees) in addition to the accessibility level concerning the categories of roads (Statistical Yearbook of Neamt County, 2010).

The results of grouping matrix (Table 1) take into account centered scores which cover a long value interval of about 19,50 points. From the minimum value (7,25 p.) to the maximum one (26,75 p.), having 5 levels of intensity:

- Very low potential of touristic attractiveness (under 10 points) including 3 localities which hold together 13%: Netezi (9,25 p.), Blebea (8,25 p.), Humuleştii Noi (7,75 p.);

- Low potential of touristic attractiveness (about 10-13 points) including 7 localities which hold together 29%: Topoliţa (13 p.), Valea Arini (12,75 p.), Lunca (12,25 p.), Ghindăoani (11,75 p.), Ţolici (11,75 p.), Boiştea (11 p.), Curechiştea (10,75 p.);

- Medium potential of touristic attractiveness (about 14-17 points) proper to 8 localities which hold together 33 %: Filioara (16,50 p.), Humuleşti (16,50 p.), Grumăzeşti (15,50 p.), Săcăluşeşeti (14,75 p.), Valea Seacă (14,75 p.), Petricani (14,50 p.), Nemţişor (14,50 p.), Târpeşti (14 p.);

- High potential of touristic attractiveness (about 18-21 points) including only one locality which hold 4%: Văratec (19,75 p.);

- Very high potential of touristic attractiveness (≥ 22 points) including 5 localities which hold together 21%: Bălţăteşti (23,25 p.), Vânători (22,5 p.), Agapia (22 p.), Mănăstirea Neamţ (22 p.), Târgu Neamţ (26,75 p.);

Figure 2. The diagrame of the categories of touristic attractiveness potential refering

to the settlements in Ozana-Topoliţa Depression (Source: Table 1)

1 A complex indicator (counted by R. Dimitriu, 2007), resulted from the grouping of 12 standard variables: average yearly rate of population evolution (coefficient of importance 0,25), average age of population (0,75), the ration between total population and occupied population (0,75), the percentage of unagricultural population inside the total occupied population (1), the number of intellectual people inside 100 inhabitants (0,75), business count of factories (0,50), the percentage of unemployed workers inside the active population (0,75), the percentage of employers inside the occupied population (0,50), number of firms with private capital reported to 100 of active persons (1), the quotation of participation at international emigration (1), number of telephone posts at 1000 loc. (0,25), the standard number of domestic animals for every individual agricultural housekeeping (0,75) .


175

The weight of these categories points out a big percentage for medium values class (33%) which have an uniform territorial distribution. This category covers all the sectors of the depression. Following the medium values there is the low values class (29%) covering the majority of the southern and the central-eastern parts of the depression. The high and very high values classes (25%) are grouped together mainly in the western part. This class includes the localities along the kerbstone of hill-mountain contact, having the united benefits of high and very high values of all grouped substratums. The localities with the lowest degree of touristic attractiveness have a small weight and are mainly grouped around Târgu Neamţ town with an important urban influence over them. Because themselves do not have a rich history (appeared during XIX-XX centuries) they have low attractive functions for touristic field (Figure 2).

The degree of components’ participation for construction of the total score is important, because the localities with high and very high touristic potential stand out evidently with almost a balanced distribution (a small exception for Neamţ Monastery) on the maximal values range. This distribution gives them a real perspective for supporting the growth of touristic attractiveness, while also giving conditions of compositional stability and homogeneity. A zigzag distribution of the components’ values can offer a suggestive image in analyzing the sectors with good perspective and also those with deficiency for investment needs. The case of the Filioara locality it is clear that having sectors with very high potential (geographical position and functional typology) with a low degree of accessibility can result in small attraction power for the touristic objectives. This compositional heterogeneity with a large spread for the majority of the localities gives them a sort of vulnerability in development of touristic sector but also good possibilities for identifying and remediating them fastly. It is interesting to point out that there is no rural locality which is defined by the homogeneity of minimal values. There exist in every locality some elements with high or very high touristic potential which offer touristic attractiveness, even though they are singular (Ţolici, Netezi) or double-associated with (Târpeşti, Valea Arini).

74,0

0

71,2

5

58,2

5

51,2

5

50,7

5

48

,75

11,7

5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Agapia com. VânatoriNeamt com.

Târgu Neamttown

Petricanicom.

Băltatesticom

Grumăzesticom.

Ghindăoanicom.

Figure 3. The graph of the hierarchy refering to the touristic attractiveness potential of the administrative units in the Ozana-Topoliţa Depression

(Source: Table 1)


176

From the total maximum virtual potential concerning to the touristic attractiveness (672 points), that counted as a total maximal potential sum for all localities, the total real score for those localities in Ozana-Topoliţa Depression is recorded at 54,58% (366,75 p.). This locality has wide perspectives for a sectorial development in such fields as: cultural, economical and touristic one.

The touristic attractiveness on the communes’ level (Figure3), that counts as a sum of the scores of all component localities, stands out evidently. These scores range from minimal values of about 11,75 points to maximal values of over 70 points. The distribution of values at the level of the administrative units is not unbalanced because on the determination values scale there are 4 distinct categories. These categories include: administrative unities with very high touristic attractiveness potential (over 70 points) such as Agapia (74 p.) and Vânători Neamţ (71,25 p.); administrative unities with high touristic attractiveness potential (about 50-70 points) such as: Târgu Neamţ (59,25 p.), Petricani (51,25 p.) and Bălţăteşti (50,75 points); a commune with medium touristic attractiveness potential (about 30-50 points) such as Grumăzeşti (48,50 points); and a commune with low touristic attractiveness potential (about 10-30 points) such as Ghindăoani (11,75 points).

Figure 4. The map of touristic attractiveness potential on settlements and administrative

unities in Ozana-Topoliţa Depression (Source: Table 1)

The very high scores recorded by communes Agapia and Vânători Neamţ

explaned by the fact that these communes include localities with very high touristic potential. These communes have a good touristic infrastructure and hold over 50% of


177

all accommodation (54,09%). Among these accomodations, 40,23% of places have high level of comfort (3 or 4 stars) but most of them have the deficient of accessibility. Even though the communes Petricani and Bălţăteşti have about the same score as the previous, their inner typological distribution of component localities has some contrasts. While the first points out a homogeneity, the second brings more heterogeneity (every component locality belongs to other distinct category). Much contrast is pointed out in territorial distribution of Grumăzeşti commune as its component localities have oscilations of scores close to medium and low categories, while Ghindăoani commune, recently set up (2003), has a disadvantage concerning to contain only one locality, that been appreciated with a low level of attractiveness potential. Târgu Neamţ has a difference from the other administrative units concerning the structure of accommodation units standing out with their diversity and addressability besides the concentration of different categories of touristic objectives.

The territorial distribution of administrative units’ typology points out in evidence a clear contrast between the western sector of depression with a very high level of attractiveness potential and the central-eastern one with a low level of attractiveness potential. This contrast expresses in fact that the geomorphological and cultural-religious contrast and also to the natural resources between the two sectors (Figure 4).

Table 1. Partial and final results of bonitation matrix for determination the touristic

attractiveness level of the settlements (Data source: Categories of touristic attractiveness potential: Very low <10 p.; Low=10-13 p.;

Medium=14-17 p; High=18-21 p.; Very high ≥21)

I VI Rural settlements I.1 1.2 I.3 I.4 I.

(final)

II III IV V VI.1 VI.2 VI.3 VI.4 VI

(final)

VII Total Categories of attractive-ness potential

Agapia 4 4 2 0 2,50 3 4 4 3 4 3 4 3 3,50 2 22 Very high

Bălţăteşti 4 1 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 2 4 0 2,25 3 23,25 Very high

Blebea 4 3 2 0 2,25 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 8,25 Very low Boiştea 4 4 0 0 2 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 Low Curechiştea 1 1 1 0 0,75 2 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 10,75 Low Filioara 4 4 2 0 2,50 3 3 4 2 0 0 2 2 1 1 16,50 Medium Ghindăoani 4 1 2 0 1,75 4 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 11,75 Low Grumăzeşti 2 1 2 0 1,25 4 3 1 3 3 2 0 0 1,25 2 15,50 Medium Humuleşti 3 3 0 0 1,50 4 1 2 4 1 3 0 0 1 3 16,50 Medium Humuleştii Noi

1 2 0 0 0,75 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 7,75 Very low

Lunca 2 0 1 0 0,75 2 4 2 1 3 2 1 0 1,50 1 12,25 Low Mănăstirea Neamţ

4 4 1 4 3,25 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 0 2,75 2 22 Very high

Nemţişor 4 4 1 0 2,25 2 4 2 1 1 2 2 4 2,25 1 14,50 Medium Netezi 1 4 1 0 1,50 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 0 0,75 2 9,25 Very low Petricani 4 3 0 0 1,75 3 3 1 3 1 2 0 0 0,75 2 14,50 Medium Săcăluşeşti 2 3 0 0 1,25 3 3 2 2 0 0 2 4 1,5 2 14,75 Medium Târgu Neamţ 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3,75 3 26,75 Very

high Târpeşti 4 3 1 0 2 3 4 1 1 2 2 0 0 1 2 14 Medium Topoliţa 3 3 0 0 1,50 3 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0,50 2 13 Low Ţolici 1 1 1 0 0,75 1 4 1 2 2 2 0 0 1 2 11,75 Low Valea Arini 4 1 2 0 1,75 4 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 12,75 Low Valea Seacă 4 4 2 0 2,50 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 0,25 2 14,75 Medium Vânători 2 3 3 0 2 4 4 3 3 4 3 3 4 3,5 3 22,5 Very

high Văratec 4 4 2 0 2,50 2 4 4 2 4 3 2 4 3,25 2 19,75 High


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Table 2. The matrix of determination the touristic attractiveness level for the settlements from Ozana-Topoliţa Depression

(Data source: Dimitriu, 2007; Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register cards of localities, 2010 (Agapia, Băltătesti, Ghindăoani, Grumăzesti, Petricani, Târgu Neamţ, Vânători Neamţ); Tourist Breviary Neamt County, 2010;

The list of historical monuments approved by HG no. 1160/1955 , ‘‘Architectural monuments”, 2004)

Bonitated Parameter

Vary high value (4)

High value (3)

Medium value (2)

Low value (1)

Very low value (0)

I.Natural potential substratum

I.1.Geographical position Of contact

Of intersection

Along of the communication

ways

Indifferent to major

geographical elements

I.2.Site Of glacis Of terrace Of interfluve

Of a side (slope)

High bank of river

I.3. Placement according to the relief complexity

Placement in areas of relief with very high

level of complexity

Placement in areas of relief

with high level of complexity

Placement in areas of relief with medium

level of complexity

Placement in areas of relief with low level of complexity

Placement in areas of relief with very low

level of complexity

I.4. Placement according to subsoil resources with touristic exploitation potential

Resources with very high

potential of exploitation

Resources with high potential of

exploitation

Resources with medium


Resources with low


Resources with very low


II. Historical substratum (age)

Before XV-th century

Since.XV-XVI centuries

Since XVII-XVIII centuries

Since.XIX-th century

Since.XX-th century

III. Cultural-ethnographical substratum (Preservation and capitalization of ethnographic traditions)

Very high degree

(with active ethnographical manifestations,

popular handicraft masters)

High degree (High level of

preservation of traditions and of

local architectural style

but without active folklore

manifestations)

Medium degree (Medium level of preservation

of traditions, medium

influence of the urban factor)

Low degree (Much

influence of the urban

factor)

Very low degree;

(localities foundated

during the.XX-th century)

IV. Economical substratum Functional typology Touristic

functions;

Cultural, education and

agricultural functions

Mixed functions;

Agricultural and industrial

functions or industrial and

services functions;

Only agricultural;

Accommodation for workers;

V. General index of development potential

High level of development

potential

Remainder potential of

development

Remainder potential of

development in increasing

process

Precarious potential of

development -

VI. Touristic infrastructure substratum

VI.1. Number of Touristic objectives

≥ 4

3

2

1

0

VI.2. Level of interest for touristic objectives

International (preserved areas of international

interest, UNESCO

monuments)

National (preserved areas

of national interest,

historical monuments in A

category)

Regional (balnery and

climatic resorts with regional

attractiveness; historical

monuments in B category;

ethnographical centres)

County level (preserved areas with county and

local interestl, anthropologic

objectives with low degree of interest)

No objectives

VI.3. Number of accommodation places

>100 68-100 34-67 1-33 0


179

VI.4. Degree of comfort (percentage of places with 3 or 4 daisies)

>50% 35-50% 18-34% 1-17% 0%

VII. Accessibily International rank way

National rank way

County rank way

Commune rank way

Unmodernized way

The second major component for determination of the tourism types that can be

applied in Ozana-Topoliţa Depression is represented by the touristic valences of the localities. There were six relevant categories for establishing the touristic profile with a large area of inclusion: landscape value, ethnographical, cultural (including also religious sector), handicraft, balnery and agricultural valences (Table 3).

Table 3. The determination of practicable tourism types in Ozana-Topoliţa Depression

Touristic

potential Touristic valences

Practicable types of tourism (according to the followed

reason) Locality

Ve

ry l

ow

Lo

w

Me

diu

m

Hig

h

Ve

ry h

igh

La

nd

sca

pe

a

ttra

ctio

n

Eth

no

gra

ph

ica

l

Cu

ltu

ral

(in

clu

din

g

reli

gio

us)

Ha

nd

icra

ft

Ba

lne

ry

Fru

it-g

row

ing

Agapia X X X X X X cultural-religious, ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, for business, scientifical

Bălţăteşti X X X X X balnery, ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism

Blebea X X rural tourism

Boiştea X X rural tourism

Curechiştea X rural tourism

Filioara X X X X ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, scientifical

Ghindăoani X X X X cultural, rural tourism

Grumăzeşti X X X X rural tourism

Humuleşti X X X X cultural, rural tourism, agrotourism

Humuleştii Noi X

rural tourism

Lunca X X X rural tourism

Mănăstirea Neamţ X X X X X X

cultural-religious, ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, for business, scientifical, educational

Nemţişor X X X ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, educational

Netezi X X rural tourism

Petricani X X rural tourism

Săcăluşeşti X rural tourism, agrotourism, for business

Târpeşti X X X X rural tourism

Topoliţa X X rural tourism

Ţolici X X X rural tourism

Valea Arini X X rural tourism


180

Valea Seacă X X ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism

Vânători X X X X X X cultural-religious, ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, for business, scientifical

Văratec X X X X X X cultural-religious, ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, for business

Târgu Neamţ X X X X X X X

cultural, (including cultural-religious), balnery, ecotourism, for business, scientifical, educational

The results inside the matrix of determination of practicable tourism types in

Ozana-Topoliţa Depression lead to distinguish 5 distinct categories of localities: - Localities with high and very high touristic potential which have a complex

touristic profile and hold 25% among all, as: Agapia, Bălţăteşti, Neamţ Monastery, Vânători, Văratec and Târgu Neamţ. These localities have multiple touristic valences which favour types of tourism, covering very many fields like: cultural (including cultural-religious), ecotourism, rural tourism, agrotourism, balnery (specific only to Bălţăteşti and Târgu Neamţ town), for business and educational.

- Localities with medium touristic potential associated to a diversified touristic profile (≥3 touristic valences) which hold 16,67% including: Filioara, Grumăzeşti, Humuleşti and Târpeşti, having the ethnographical element as a common valence and put together with agriculture as partial valences besides some particular elements like the landscape valence for Filioara and the cultural one for Humuleşti. This type of locality is a category which capitalizes on diversified types of tourism like: cultural, rural tourism, agrotourism, ecotourism, scientifical, opening true perspectives of penetration the local and regional touristic market.

- Localities with medium touristic potential associated to a restricted touristic profile (≤2 touristic valences) holding 16,67% and including: Nemţişor, Petricani, Săcăluşeşeti and Valea Seacă. Among them, Nemţişor is double valenced, having true conditions for developing complementary tourism types. Săcăluşeşti and Valea Seacă have the advantages of the favourable neighbourhood and a high level of accessibility. The presence of touristic accommodation structures (excepting Petricani) confer the possibility of extension on the landing of „green tourism”. For Nemţişor, a new category of tourism is distinguished. This category is the educational and religious one which borrows the religious camps model from Tismana (starting since 2006), addressed to gymnasium and high school learners (model inaugurated on 2009 and prefigured to be carried on yearly).

- Localities with low touristic potential associated to diverse touristic valences (2-3) hold 12,5% including: Ghindăoani, Lunca and Ţolici, which have common elements concerning ethnographic valences together with those refering to creative handicraft, especially by wood. These point out in evidence a monotouristic profile, respectively the rural one, with the exception of Ghindăoani, which can diversify its profile by using its cultural anthropogenic objective. This category has a medium chance to assert on touristic market because of the limited offer and slightly adapted to the tourits expectations, taking into account the lack of touristic accommodation structures.

- Localities with low and very low touristic potential associated to reduced touristic valences (≤2) hold the most percentage (29,16%) including 7 villages (Blebea, Boiştea, Curechiştea, Humuleştii Noii, Netezi, Topoliţa, Valea Arini) offering only one perspective. The rural tourism imposed by the agricultural valence which often is the only motivating element for developing that recess landing of tourism.


181

The typological analysis for the whole depression certifies the main role of „green tourism” which holds 63,64% among all types. Included in this type of tourism are three main components: rural tourism (34,85%), agrotourism (15,15%) and ecotourism (13,64%). These components are practiced mostly inside of the preserved areas like Vanatori Neamţ Natural Park (Figure 5), V-th category according IUCN, which the certification of forest management in Park area was a premiere in Roumania (Deju & Cătănoiu, 2005), where „the landscape maintains intact and visible traces of its traditional land-use forms over several hundred years, and illustrates the harmonious interaction between people, nature and spirituality in Carpathian Mountains” (Cătănoiu et al., 2009). In second place, there is the cultural tourism (10,61%), which has a very good territorial representation through cultural-religious sector, followed by business tourism (9,09%), scientific (7,58%), educational (6,06%) and in the last place balnery tourism (3,03%) that is practiced in only two localities (Bălţăteşti and Oglinzi).

Figure 5. The map of practicable tourism types according to touristic potential and touristic

valences of the settlements from Ozana-Topoliţa Depression (Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, 2010)

Aknowlegments This article is a result of research carried out by Cristina Letos and Dumitru Letos and

financed by POSDRU Project (POSDRU/6/1.5/S/25).


182

REFERENCES

Cătănoiu S., & co, (2009), Studies and research in Vânători Neamţ Natural Park, vol.II, 2009. Davidescu G., (2000), Depresiunea subcarpatică Ozana-Topoliţa. Studiu de geografie fizică, Editura

Cugetarea, Iaşi. Deju R., Cătăniou S., (2005), Studies and research in Vânători Neamţ Natural Park, vol.I, 2005. Dimitriu, R., (2007), Depresiunea Neamţului – Studiu de geografie umană, Editura Universităţii

Al.I.Cuza, Iaşi. Florescu Elena, (1983), Arhitectura populară din zona Neamț, Muzeul de Etnografie, Piatra Neamț. Glăvan, V., (1996), Dezvoltarea turismului în România, Editura Institutului de Management-Turism

EDEN, Bucureşti. Krippendorf, J., (1980), Marketing im Fremdenverkehr, 2, Auflage, Bern/Frankfurt am Main/Las Vegas. Muntele, I., Iaţu, C., (2003), Geografia turismului: concepte, metode şi forme de manifestare spaţio-

temporală, Editura Sedcom Libris, Iaşi. *** Statistical Yearbook of Neamt County, 2010. *** Tourist Breviary Neamt County, 2010. *** Memoria Antiquitatis vol. XIII- Muzeul de Istorie Piatra Neamţ, 1999. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Agapia locality, 2010. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Baltatesti locality, 2010. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Ghindăoani locality, 2010. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Grumăzesti locality, 2010. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Petricani locality, 2010. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Târgu Neamţ town, 2010. *** Neamţ Regional Direction of Statistics, The register card of Vânători Neamţ locality, 2010. *** Ministery of Culture and Cults, 2004, The list of historical monuments approved by HG no. 1160/1955,

‘‘Architectural monuments”. *** Topographic map 1: 25.000.




PPEETTRROOGGRRAAPPHHIICC RREELLIIEEFF IINN TTHHEE BBUUCCEEGGII ((PPRRAAHHOOVVEEAANN AARREEAA)) AANNDD CCEEAAHHLLAAUU MMOOUUNNTTAAIINNSS ((CCEENNTTRRAALL AARREEAA))

–– TTHHEE RROOMMAANNIIAANN CCAARRPPAATTHHIIAANNSS.. SSCCIIEENNTTIIFFIICC AAPPRROOAACCHH VVSS LLOOCCAALL LLEEGGEENNDDSS

RRăăzzvvaann OOPPRREEAA

University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, Geomorphology-Pedology-Geomatic Department, 1 N. Balcescu Avenue, 010041, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: [email protected]

AAlleexxaannddrruu NNEEDDEELLEEAA


LLaauurraa CCOOMMĂĂNNEESSCCUU**


Abstract: In terms of geologic features both massifs, Bucegi (2505 m) and Ceahlau (1907 m) belong to the Oriental Group of the Romanian Carpathians being suspended synclinals. Another common feature is the petrographic formations forming the upper part of both massifs. Thus, the Bucegi Mountains are formed of a series of conglomerates and Cretacic sandstones (medium and superior Bucegi conglomerates, Babele and Scropoasa-Laptici sandstones) with either a massif or layered aspect and sometimes even flysch-like. These are generically referred to as the Albian molasse. In the Ceahlau Mountains there are conglomerates and sandstone-like intercalations their thickness varying between 10 and 30 m, generically referred to as Ceahlau-Zaganu conglomerates and sandstones. Such formations are generically known as flysch (Sinaia formations). The above mentioned formations generated really spectacular landforms under the action of recent geomorphologic processes. The resulted landforms first stirred the interest of shepherds who crossed the highlands feeding the flocks they tended to as part of the transhumance process, or of secluded monks who gave them quite suggestive names – Babele, Panaghia, Piatra Ciobanului, Piatra Sihastrului etc. – these names were later on used on the topographic maps. Long before any scientific approach (XIX-XX centuries) the local inhabitants imagined a series of legends. All these land forms of great scientific, aesthetic and historical importance and exploited as tourist objectives are currently included in larger Protected Areas such as: Bucegi Mountains Natural Park and Ceahlau Mountains National Park. Key words: petrographic relief, Bucegi and Ceahlau mountains, geomorphosites, local legends.

* * * * * *

INTRODUCTION In the course of time, with the development of human society, people have invested

some landforms with scientific (Coratza & Giusti, 2005), aesthetic, cultural (Panizza & * Corresponding author

Răzvan OPREA, Alexandru NEDELEA, Laura COMĂNESCU

184

Piacente, 2003), historical and economic value. These landscape features, which are extremely important for the deciphering of the planet’s history (Panizza, 2001), are called geomorphosites.

Even though there is a tendency to associate geomorphosites with touristic spots, the two notions do not mean exactly one and the same thing, because geomorphosites have many specific elements, called values. Irrespective of their size, geomorphosites include two value levels: a central, scientific one and a supplementary one, the latter having multiple connotations (aesthetic, ecological, cultural and economic).

The inventory and the evaluation of geomorphosites aim at defining the geomorphologic patrimony of a territory and its associated cultural and historical assets (Bruschi & Cendero, 2005). It is apparent that such an approach is meant to encourage touristic activities (Pralong, 2005; Pralong & Reynard, 2005). But the synthesis of these efforts is the establishment of a global and educational value for the respective geomorphosites (Reynard et al., 2007). At the same time, as the impact of various natural processes and human activities may affect the quality of the site, these are taken into account, with the purpose of developing appropriate management techniques. The management activities usually include protection measures (enclosing the geomorphosites), institutional solutions (setting up protected areas), as well as various ways to capitalize the landscape (Comănescu, 2008).

This study seeks to draw a parallel between the scientific knowledge about the petrographic landforms in the Bucegi and Ceahlau Mts. and the peoples’ perception of them, as it has crystallized over time. The latter is expressed especially by the cultural value (Panizza &Piacente, 2003), which unfortunately has a very broad meaning. In order to define it, one has usually to rely on four criteria: religious and symbolic importance, historical importance, literary and artistic importance and geohistorical importance. Of these four, we have paid a particular attention to the literary and artistic importance, as well as to the religious and symbolic one.

The study relies on several works, which have been mentioned in the reference section; at the same time, the interpretation of topographic maps (of scales 1:25000 and 1:50000), aerial photographs and geological maps of scales 1:200000 (Inst. Geol., 1968, 1975) has provided useful information. Likewise, field investigations have resulted in the mapping of the previously mentioned landforms.

THE STUDY AREA From the geographical point of view, the Bucegi Mts. belong to the extreme east of

the southern range of the Romanian Carpathians (Figure 1). They develop between the Prahova valley, on the east, the Cerbului valley to the northeast, the Ialomicioara and Bratei valleys, on the south, and the Bran platform, on the west.

The main features of these mountains are the massive relief (maximum elevation 2505 m in the Omu peak) and the steep sides developed on conglomerates, sandstones (on the east – the Prahova scarp) and limestones (on the west – the Bran scarp), with relative heights of more than 1000 m and castellated microrelief forms (crags and haystacks) created by the intense cryoclastism. The structural plateau of the Bucegi Mts. (lying between 1800 and 2300 m) is flanked on the east by a series of summits (Costila-2498 m, Caraiman-2384 m, Jepii Mici, 2143 m, Furnica-2103 m, etc.). This high plateau exhibits spectacular landforms developed on sandstones and conglomerates as a result of rill erosion, cryoclastism and aeolian erosion.

The Bucegi Massif is crossed by many marked and unmarked paths that connect the Prahova valley, on the one hand, with the Ialomita valley and the Bran area, on the other hand. Another important feature is the existence of many chalets and skiing tracks. The massif can be easily approached by car along the road that crosses the Paduchiosu pass heading for Piatra Arsa, as well as along the road climbing upstream the Ialomita

Petrographic Relief in the Bucegi (Prahovean Area) and Ceahlau Mountains (Central Area) - the Romanian Carpathians. Scientific Aproach vs Local Legends

185

valley (Pietrosita – Pestera). Likewise, tourists access is facilitated by the ropeways connecting Sinaia and Cota 1400, Cota 1400 and Cota 2000, Busteni and Babele (at approximately 2200 m), as well as Babele and Pestera.

Figure 1. Location of the Bucegi and Ceahlau Mountains in the Romanian Carpathians The exquisite natural potential was the reason for the setting up of the Bucegi

Natural Park (Oprea, 2009), which was a necessary action, aimed at curbing the intense anthropogenic activities (tourism and shepherding) that had negatively impacted the sub-alpine and alpine environments.

The Ceahlau Mts. belong to the central section of the eastern range of the Romania Carpathians. This massif, which impresses through altitude and massiveness, towers over the lower regions bordered by the valleys Bistricioara (on the north), Bicaz (on the south), Pintic and Capra (on the east) (Figure 1).

The relief of this massif has been carved in conglomerates (here and there with sandstones intercalations). On top of it there is a structural and lithological plateau developed between 1500 m and the maximum elevation of 1907 m (the Ocolasu Mare peak). Above this level rises a series of outliers, such as Toaca (1900 m), Lespezi (1802), Batca lui Ghedeon (1844 m) and Ocolasu Mic, which have been left behind by the cryoplanation processes.

The scarps that tower the neighboring territories by hundreds of meters, more conspicuous in the catchments of the Izvorul Muntelui, Neagra and Schitu creeks (Ichim et al., 1987), show a minor morphology generated by gelifraction, with pinnacles, crags and strange looking isolated rocks.

Like the Bucegi massif, this mountain unit also experiences an intense touristic flow, which explains the high density of paths. But unlike the former, the chalet network is not so well represented and the ropeways are missing. Consequently, the access in the high part of the massif is done by foot.

Pastoral life is also rich and its origins are lost in time. The great diversity of ecosystems, their exquisite scientific value and the variety of landscapes threatened to suffer a severe impact by anthropogenic actions, are the reasons that imposed the creation of the Ceahlau National Park (Săndulache, 2009).


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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Geological and geomorphological outlines The Bucegi and Ceahlau Mts. have a lot in common. Both massifs are suspended

synclines, with similar petrographic structure, which show relatively flat plateaus surrounded by impressive scarps. The specific character of the Bucegi Mts. is given by the presence (in the high part and on the eastern scarp) of massive or stratified Cretaceous conglomerates and sandstones, occasionally with flysch character (Patrulius, 1969). These generically called Albian molasse deposits also include the medium and upper Bucegi conglomerates, the Babele sandstones and the Scropoasa-Laptici sandstones.

The Ceahlau Mts. are made up of conglomerates (deposited in a 500 – 600 m thick layer), with sandstones intercalations (10 to 30 m thick), which are called the Ceahlau-Zaganu conglomerates and sandstones (Mutihac et al., 2004). These Thitonic-Neocomian strata belong to the flysch deposits (the Sinaia strata). The conglomerates and sandstones underlying the Bucegi and Ceahlau Mts. show intercalations of calcareous klippes.

In the course of time, the geomorphologic processes (frost weathering cryoclastism, aeolization, nivation, and rill erosion) have led to the creation of a spectacular micromorphology and, consequently, many resulted landforms have begun to be considered geomorphosites. In the Bucegi Mts., there are several peaks that fall in this category: Omul, Mecetul Turcesc, Coltii Morarului, Portita Caraimanului, Stanca Sf. Ana, Babele, Sfinxul and others. Of the latter, the most well known are the sphinx-resembling rocks, the rock pedestals and the mushroom rocks found on the Babele and Omu, but also on the Costila, Vanturis and Piatra Arsa ridges. The mechanism that has contributed to their formation will be briefly discussed below (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Formation mechanism of the mushroom rocks

The shaping of mushroom rocks is put to the account of Pleistocene periglacial

processes (Velcea-Micalevich, 1961). At the beginning, the rill erosion, possibly intensified by a pluvial stage of an interglacial phase, carved flowing ruts in the harder shield made up of sandstones and microconglomerates. The weathering process was subsequently continued by differential cryoclastism, which affected to a higher extent the conglomerates (Figure 2). Simultaneously, wind exerted a strong


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corrasion on the exposed surface. Thus, the present cryonival shaping processes have found a favorable ground.

The described evolution may be easily noticed on the structural surface of the Babele and Costila Mts. Here, the sheet erosion has generated a series of rills, oriented on a west-east direction, conformal to the slanting structural surface, which have continuously deepened (reaching about 0.5 m deep) until cut through the sandstone shield and reached the conglomerates, where have begun to enlarge. The bed of these rills is frequently covered with sand proceeded from the erosion of the overlying sandstones. As we have seen previously, an important part in the morphology of these formations is played by the higher hardness and the lower degree of perviousness of the sandstones, especially of the strongly cemented and quartzitic ones, in comparison with the conglomerates. At the same time, the differentiations in shaping also depend on the conglomerate types (calcareous conglomerates, conglomerates with crystalline elements). In the scarp areas, the different hardness of these formations has resulted in the appearance of structural benches.

In the Ceahlau massif, like in the Bucegi, the upper plateau corresponds to the structural surface of the syncline, whose southern extremity includes the maximum elevation, which is the Ocolasu Mare peak. The dominant plateau-like ridge unfolds on approximately six kilometers, having a maximum width of one kilometer (Ichim et al., 1987). The plateau is towered by the pyramidal Toaca peak. The high plateau is bordered by conglomeratic scarps, which are 200-300 m higher than the peripheral relief steps and show a castellated relief, with pinnacles, columns and haystack-like rocks (Panaghia, Dochia, Turnu lui Butu si Ana, Claile lui Miron, Piatra Lacrimata, etc.). Here and there, the scarps show structural benches, similar to those in the Bucegi Mts. (as is the case of the Politele cu Crini).

The ridge appearance differs in the southern half in comparison with the northern one (Dieaconu & Săndulache, 2008). Thus, in the south, the suspended syncline is more conspicuous, being highlighted by large structural surfaces (Figure 2). In the north, the strata arrangement is not visible in the landscape. Instead, one can see residual landforms, such as pinnacles, pyramids, spurs and ridges.

The geomorphosites by Bucegi Mts – between legend and touristic

capitalization In the beginning, these rocks resembling enigmatical graven images inflamed the

imagination of the shepherds who used to graze their sheep on the alpine meadows. Later on, the tourists who came to admire the beauties of the mountains, enchanted by the view, tried hard to decipher, as we often do with the clouds in the sky, the resemblance of these stones to the creatures living on earth. Subsequently, the names given by them to these strange landforms have started to be used on maps. In the following, we will focus on some interesting aspects from both study areas.

These names have perpetuated thanks to the development of touristic activities. It is worth mentioning that the growing interest for mountain ascents has contributed to the set up of the first associations and clubs dedicated to these activities (F.R.A.E., 2007), which have built chalets, created paths, opened new routes and marked the itineraries. Thus, in 1880, in Sibiu town, the Carpathian Association of Transylvania (Siebenburgische Karpaten Verrein – S.K.V.) came into existence and shortly after a branch was set up in Bucharest (1922).

In 1893, with the support of the Archimandrite Nifon, Abbot of the Monastery of Sinaia, the Sinaia Carpathian Society was created. In 1903, followed the Tourist Society of Romania (S.T.R.), with some outstanding personalities among its members (Simion Mehedinti, Gh. Munteanu Murgoci, etc.), which merged in 1931 with the


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Romanian Touring Club. In 1920, was set up the Travellers Inn Society (having Mihai Haret and Bucura Dumbrava among its founding members), whose activity was continued starting with 1926 by the Romanian Touring Club, set up the same year in Bucharest. Likewise, in 1929 came into existence the Travellers Association in the Romanian Mountains (A.D.M.I.R.).

Omul (the Man), the highest peak (2505 m) in the Bucegi massif, is made up of a conglomerate rock. Near the rock that lends its name to the whole massif, the Siebenburgische Karpaten Verrein (S.K.V.) built in 1888 a chalet, which was named “The Rock House at the Omu peak” (Epuran, 1964). This certifies the Omu name is earlier than the year 1888. As a matter of fact, I.A. Vaillant, a French teacher and publisher, mentioned in his work entitled “La Romanie”, printed in 1844, that he and purveyor Anghlescu had made a trip along the itinerary Sinaia – Varful cu Dor – Pestera – Babele – Omul (Urechia, 1926).

Figure 3. The rock pedestals and the mushroom rocks on the Bucegi plateau

(Source: Velcea, Savu, 1982) Babele (the Old Ladies) are spread on a larger area. They may be either isolated

or grouped in clusters (Figure 3). The most representative ones are those situated in the vicinity of the chalet Babele (with heights of 4 to 6 m), in the perimeter of the Baba Mare peak (2292 m), that is in the central-northern part of the Bucegi massif, and the isolated rock lying in the proximity of the Sphynx (2216 m altitude). The Babele, which have a north-south orientation, are bordered on the east by the Jepilor Valley and on the west by the Sugarilor Valley. The toponym Babele seams to have crystallized in the shepherds’ memory in ancient times, being subsequently assumed by the people, once the tourism in the Bucegi Mts. began to flourish (the end of the 19th century and the beginninng of the 20th century) (Figure 3).

Beside the above reference to Vaillant’s trip, it is worth mentioning the “Peles Marchen” tale collection accomplished by queen Elisabeth of Romania and published (under the pen name Carmen Sylva) in Leipzig in 1882 and reprinted several times afterwards (Coloşenco, 2000). This work revealed the names Cetatea Babei and Omul (Carmen Sylva, 1884), which points at the fact that the queen was probably familiar with these places from the tales of King Carol I, who in the summer of 1880 had taken a trip on


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the Bucegi plateau together with other people, including the botanist D. Brandza (1868 – 1934). Later on, the king gave an account of his trip to M. Haret, who included the text in his monography about the Peles Castle, published in 1924.

Sfinxul (the Sphynx) is a boulder 12 m wide and 8 m high, which in the upper part is made up of sandstone microconglomerates and in the lower part by conglomerates with blocks of Jurassic limestones and crystalline rocks. The Sphinx profile that can be seen on the northern side (Figure 4) of the rock has been shaped by the detachment of weathered blocks.

Figure 4. The physiognomy that made famous Sphinx of Bucegi can only be seen from N

Its bizarre appearance stirs the imagination especially as it is the same height as the

Sphynx of Gizeh. The name of Sphynx does not appear in the above mentioned tales. As a matter of fact, it is a scholarly name, borrowed from Greek and Egyptian mythologies, meant to atract the tourists. It is likely that this name ens xriched the Bucegi massif’s toponymy in the period of intense touristic interest (F.R.A.E., 2007) from the first decades of the 20th century. However, even though the first pictures of this rock date back to the years 1900 (www.eco-bucegi.eu), the first postcards showing it appeared only in the fourth decade of the 20th century.

Mecetul Turcesc is a calcareous olistolite lying under the Obarsia Mountain, at the headwaters of the Ialomita River. The toponym Mecet is derived from Turkish language, meaning a smaller mosque or its related cemetery. The name itself has a legendary origin being related to the fled of Mihnea Voda (in the year 1510) over the mountains, in Transylvania, with a group of Turks at his heels. Coltii Morarului (castellated crags lying


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along the Morarului Ridge) and Portiţa Caraimanului (tectonic window situated on the Braul Portitei in the Caraiman Mountain) were mentioned in the Nestor Urechia’s travel diary in the summer of 1913 (Urechia, 1926).

Sfânta Ana rock is a calcareous olistolite standing approximately 500 m above Sinaia city. At the end of the 19th century, several hermitage cells existed in this area (Măgureanu, 2000). The name of Sfanta Ana comes from an old hermitage built in 1453 around the respective rock, approximately five kilometers away of the present Sinaia monastery, which was erected in 1695 (Magureanu, 2000).

Over the years, various hypotheses regarding the rock formations on the Bucegi plateau have been issued. Thus, historian Nicolae Densusianu, in the chapter „Cyclopean altars of the Caraiman Mountain” from his book entitled „Dacia preistorica” (first appeared in 1913), considered these natural monuments to be the remnants of old prehistoric altars (Densuşianu, 2002). All these are connected to the so-called Kogaionon, the Dacians’ holy mountain, mentioned in the ancient writings of Strabo (1st century B.C. – 1st century A.D.).

The geomorphosites by Ceahlau Mts- in mythology, literature and iconography

The first journeys to the Ceahlau Mts. recorded in writing are (F.R.A.E., 2007): in 1809, Veniamin Costache, Metropolitan Bishop of Moldavia, climbed the mountain accompanied by a group of people; the following decades, other personalities of the epoch, namely Mihail Sturdza, Voivode of Moldavia, in 1835 and Gheorghe Asachi in 1838 made trips to this area, too. Like in the case of the Bucegi Mts., most of the names of these rocks were given by the shepherds a long time ago (prior to the 19th century).

Figure 5. Toaca Peak (on the left) and Panaghia Rock (on the right) – Ceahlau Mountains

The most well known are Toaca, Panaghia (Figure 5), Dochia and Turnu lui Butu

si Ana. Toponyms like Turnu lui Butu şi Ana, Toaca, Panaghia were first mentioned documentary in 1641 in a donation act issued by ruler Vasile Lupu to the benefit of the Silvestru Hermitage (Dieaconu & Săndulache, 2009). Toaca (Bell Board), pyramid shaped peak rising 100 – 150 m above the upper plateau of the Ceahlau Mountains. According to folk tradition, the name origin dates back to the times of the battles between Dacians and Romans. In his travel notes from the first half of the 19th century, Gh. Asachi mentioned the presence up in the mountains of a bell board, which was used to call the hermits to prayer.

Panaghia is a tower-like conglomerate rock, 100 m high, lying on the northern side of the Toaca peak, in the Ceahlau Mts., at an elevation of 1868 m. The Greek name shows the rock has been dedicated to the Virgin Mary, like the one that is found at Mt. Athos.


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Dochia is a conglomerate rock on the eastern side of the Ceahlau Mountains (1230 m altitude) wich inspired many legends. A ballad of the rock was published in 1838 by the scholar Gh. Asachi. The ballad goes that Dochia (Decebal’s daughter) and her sheep were petrified in order escape from the Romans who were chasing them. Dochia was also mentioned by the ruler and scholar Dimitrie Cantemir in his book “Descriptio Moldaviae” (Cantemir, 1997). Turnu lui Butu si Ana is a tower-like conglomerate rock in the Ceahlau Mts., which stays at the origin of some legends. One of these was written down by the scholar Gh. Asachi in first half of the 19th century.

The great humanist scholar Dimitrie Cantemir (1673 – 1723), ruler of Moldavia, in his work Descriptio Moldaviae, commisioned by the Berlin Academy and written between 1714 and 1716, refered to the mountain areas of his country, including the Ceahlau, apparently quoting other people’s accounts. However, he was the first who represented this massif on a map, which was in fact the first map of Moldavia.

Metropolitan Bishop Veniamin of Moldavia, at the time when he was retired to the Monastery of Neamt, made in 1809 a trip to the Ceahlau massif, reaching its plateau. With that occasion he blessed a spring, which is now called Fantana Mitropolitului (Dieaconu & Sandulache, 2008). In his turn, Prince Mihail Sturdza made a journey in 1835, being accompanied among others by Metropolitan Bishop Veniamin. He erected a cross on the top of the Toaca peak, which was mentioned six decades later in the traveler notes of Julius Romer, a Saxon from Transylvania living in Brasov city, who had visited these places in 1891. Gheorghe Asachi (1788 – 1869), a Moldavain scholar and politician, fond of mountains and folklore, also climbed the mountain and published in 1838 his travel notes (Asachi, 1989). With the occasion of that trip he collected a nice legend about Dochia and Traian (Dieaconu & Săndulache, 2008).

CONCLUSIONS This paper has intended to present a series of geomorphosites from two mountain

massifs of the Romanian Carpathians, which have deeply penetrated the Romanian consciousness and which have been intensely studied and trodden especially in the last 150 years. The approach has followed two directions, the scientific perspective and the people’s perception, pointing out some interesting elements that may be further developed in future studies.

Both the Bucegi and the Ceahlau massifs have attracted over time people’s attention. The shepherds who used to graze their sheep in these massifs were the first to notice these strange landforms, which they used at first as reference points for their tracks, giving them suggestive names and weaving legends around them. These elements have then appeared in various traveller notes or in the literary works of the 19th century. In the second half of the 19th century and in the first decades of the 20th, the scientific interest for these mountain massifs grew and touristic activities in these areas intensified. Beside the mentioned petrographic landforms, some of them also influenced by the structure, other reasons for setting up the Ceahlau National Park in 1990 and the Ceahlau Natural Park in 2003, were the great variety of ecosystems, their exquisite scientific value, and the diversity of the landscapes threatened to be degraded as a result of human impact intensification. However, concerns for the protection of natural environments of these massifs had existed long before (in the Bucegi since 1921).

This has been beneficial, because the promotion of these massifs has brought them early to the attention of public opinion, while other areas in Romania have continued to suffer intense athropogenic pressure of tourism activities. A great problem has been the development of a dense and chaotic network of mountain paths, which negatively impacted the sub-alpine and alpine environments. For instance, touristic maps of the Bucegi Mts. show for the plateau area, where landforms like


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pedestals and mushroom rocks are concentrated, many marked paths totalizing a length of 52 km. In fact, the situation is much worse, as the paths and the road that climbs to the mountain plateau totalize approximately 95 km, figure that represents the length measured in the field taking into account all the existing tracks and shortcuts (Oprea, 2005).

Aknowlegments The study was supported from the project PN II IDEI no. 1933 financed by NURC, managed

by dr. Laura Comănescu, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography.

REFERENCES Asachi, G., (1989), Itinerar sau Călăuzul la Pion, in “Călători români paşoptişti”, Ed. Sport-Turism, Bucureşti, p. 67. Bruschi, V., M., Cendrero, A., (2005), Geosite evaluation; can we measure intangible values?, Il Quaternario,

18 (1), 293-306. Cantemir, D., (1997), Descrierea Moldovei, Ed. Litera, Chişinău, 256 p. Carmen, Sylva, (1884), Povestile Peleşului, Ediţiunea Ministeriului de Culte şi Instrucţiunii Publice, Bucureşti, 236

p. Coloşenco, M., (2000), Postfaţă, in Carmen Sylva, “Poveştile Peleşului”, Ed. Saeculum I.O., Bucureşti, p. 155-158. Comănescu, Laura, (2008), Inventarierea geomorfositurilor, Comunic. de Geogr., vol. 12, Ed. Univ.,

Bucureşti, p. 17-23. Cortza, P., Giusti, C., (2005), Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of

geomorphosites, Il Quaternario, 18 (1), 307-313. Densuşianu, N., (2002), Dacia preistorică, Ed. Semne, Bucureşti, 1152 p Dieaconu, D., Săndulache, I., (2008), Ceahlăul – realitatea unui mit, Ed. Cetatea Doamnei, Piatra Neamţ, 189 p. Epuran Gh., (1964), Ghidul cabanelor, Ed. Uniunii de Cultură fizică şi Sport, Bucureşti, 287 p. F.R.A.E., (2007), Începuturile practicării alpinismului pe teritoriul României, apariţia primelor asociaţii şi

cluburi sportive, http://www.fralpinism.ro Haret, M., (1924), Castelul Peleş. Monografie istorică, geografică, turistică, pitorească, descriptiva, Ed. Cartea

Românească S.A., Bucureşti, 100 p. Ichim, I., Poghirc, P., Apopei, V., Rădoane, N., Rădoane, M., (1987), Munţii Bistriţei, in Badea L. (eds.)

“Geografia Romaniei”, vol. 3, Ed. Academiei, Bucuresti: p. 139-155. Măgureanu, N., (2000), Mănăstirea Sinaia, Ed. Athena, Bucureşti, 209 p. Mutihac, V., Stratulat, M., Fechet, R., (2004), Geologia României. Ed. Did. şi Ped., R.A., Bucureşti, 248 p. Oprea, R., (2005), Bazinul montan al Prahovei. Studiul potenţialului natural şi al impactului antropic asupra

peisajului, Ed. Universitară, Bucureşti, 164 p. Oprea, R., (2009), Parcul Natural Bucegi, Rev. Terra LVIII-LIX, Ed. CD Press, Bucureşti, p. 203-208. Panizza, M., (2001), Geomorphosites: Concepts, methods and examples of geomorphological survey, In:

Chinese Science Bulletin, 46: 4-6. Panizza, M., Piacente S., (2003), Geomorfologia culturale, Piatogora Editrice, Bologna, 350 p. Patrulius, D., (1969), Geologia Masivului Bucegi şi a Culoarului Dambovicioara, Ed. Academiei, Bucureşti, 321 p. Pralong, J.-P., (2005), A method for assessing tourist potential and use of geomorphological sites,

Géomorphologie: relief, processus, environnement, 3, p. 189-196. Pralong, J.-P., Reynard E., (2005), A proposal for the classification of geomorphological sites depending on

their tourist value, Il Quaternario, 18 (1), p. 315-321. Reynard, E., (2005), Géomorphosites et paysages, Géomorphologie: relief, processus, environnement, 3,

p. 181-188. Reynard, E., Fontana, G., Kozlik, L, Scapozza, C., (2007), A method for assessing «scientific» and «additional

values» of geomorphosites,. Geographica Helvetica Jg. 62, Heft 3, p. 148-158 Săndulache, I., (2009), Parcul Naţional Ceahlău, Rev. Terra LVIII-LIX, Ed. CD Press, Bucureşti, p. 178-184 Urechia, N., (1926), Vraja Bucegilor, Ed. Cartea Românească, Bucureşti, 233 p. Velcea-Micalevich, V., (1961), Masivul Bucegi. Studiu geomorfologic, Ed. Academiei Române, Bucureşti, 151 p. Velcea, V., Savu, Al., (1982), Geografia Carpaţilor şi a Subcarpaţilor Româneşti, Ed. Didactică şi Pedagogică,

Bucureşti. *** Inst. Geol., (1968), Harta geologică a României, 1:200000, foile Topliţa şi Piatra Neamţ, Bucureşti. *** Inst. Geol., (1975), Harta solurilor Romaniei, scara 1:200000, foaia Braşov, Bucureşti.


GGeeooJJoouurrnnaall ooff TToouurriissmm aanndd GGeeoossiitteess Year VV no.2, vol. 10, NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001122 pppp.. 119933--220033ISSN 22006655--00881177, E-ISSN 22006655--11119988 Article no. 1100220066--111122


GGEEOOTTOOUURRIISSMM AANNDD GGEEOOPPAARRKKSS:: TTHHEE CCAASSEE OOFF KKIIZZIILLCCAAHHAAMMAAMM--ÇÇAAMMLLIIDDEERREE GGEEOOPPAARRKK

MMeeddeett YYOOLLAALL** Anadolu University, Faculty of Tourism,

26470 Eskisehir, Turkey, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This case study explores how Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere Geopark and Geotourism Project in Ankara, Turkey is initiated. The project has been developed both to protect the richest geoheritage of the region and to provide its economic benefits to the region. It has to be said that the project will produce permanent results only by embracing local people and the support of nature lovers. As a point of departure, the paper starts with a literature review on geotourism and geoparks. Further, Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere geopark and geotourism project is revealed within the framework of its history, goals of the project, administration, where and what the project covers, and the geological characteristics of the region. The paper also aims to offer a guideline for marketing and promoting the region as a geotourism destination. Key words: geoparks, geotourism, marketing, Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere geopark

* * * * * *

INTRODUCTION Turkey has been a popular holiday destination due to her rich culture and

civilization as well as outstanding natural environment. Being referred by some authors as a cradle of civilisation, Turkey is surrounded by three seas, the Black Sea in the north, Aegean in the west and Mediterranean in the south (www.kultur.gov.tr). The peninsula creates natural attractions and a variety of archaeological and historical sites as a result of the country being the land for various civilizations, with a geological history covering more than 60 million years. Implements from the Stone Age show that Anatolia was already inhabited in the Middle Paleolithic Period between 100,000 and 40,000 B.C. As such, its archaeological, cultural and natural attractions form an excellent basis for developing geotourism. In this sense, Turkey has a huge potential for both the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks due to its natural and cultural diversity (Kazancı et al., 2011; Koçan, 2012).

The terms „geotourism” and „geoparks” have emerged in the tourism literature in recent years. Geotourism is rapidly being recognized as an exciting new direction for tourism surrounding geological and geomorphological attractions and destinations (Dowling, 2011; Akbulut, 2009; Dowling, 2008; Turner, 2006). At the same time, the tourism component of geotourism involves excursions to geosites for the purposes of * Corresponding author

Medet Yolal

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passive recreation, engaging in a sense of wonder, appreciation and learning (Newsome & Dowling, 2006). Consequently, the tourism industry regards geotourism as a new, growing market segment with a prosperous future, particularly so viewed in the light of the ever-increasing demand by tourists around the world for the ultimate nature experience (Pforr & Megerl, 2006). The global diversity of landscapes and geological materials in association with the body of knowledge relating to Earth history and geological processes (Newsome & Dowling, 2006) designates geotourism as an option for all countries. Accordingly, more and more countries have started to develop schemes for recognizing important geological and morphological sites or landscapes within their national boundaries (Eder & Patzak, 2004).

Currently, tourism in Turkey relies on mass tourism, which is unsustainable, concentrated on coastal areas, hence geotourism is less significant. However, geological and geomorphological heritage resources of the country reveal an abundant potential for the development of geotourism. Although it leaves much to be desired, some initiatives and some bodies are trying to promote and develop geotourism in Turkey, and the Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere geopark and geotourism project is a unique example of these efforts. In this sense, the paper aims at exploring how Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere geopark and geotourism project is initiated. For the purpose of the study, the paper starts with a literature review on geotourism and geoparks. Further, the project is examined. The paper concludes with suggestions on the better promotion and marketing of the region as a geotourism destination.

GEOTOURISM AND GEOPARKS GEOTOURISM Tourism has experienced a shift from the Fordist model of mass tourism which

concentrates on high standardization of tourism services and identikit destinations, to a more conscientious and small-scale style of travel that focuses on the conservation of resources (Peres & Sampol, 2000). In this vein, problems associated with mass tourism have implemented more environmentally and culturally aware designs of tourism, resulting in a global push for conservation (Hardy et al., 2002). Such conservation efforts have resulted in alternative forms of tourism such as sustainable tourism, ecotourism and geotourism. Sustainable tourism meets the needs of today’s tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. On the other hand ecotourism is a sustainable form of natural resource-based tourism that focuses primarily on experiencing and learning about nature, and which is ethically managed to be low-impact, non-consumptive, and locally oriented (control, benefits, and scale) (Fennel, 2003:25). Typically ecotourism is connected to natural areas, and should contribute to the conservation or preservation of such natural areas. The assumption underlying ecotourism is that it runs counter to mass tourism (Boley et al., 2011). Finally, the tourism industry regards geotourism as a new, growing market segment with a prosperous future, particularly so in the light of the ever-increasing demand by tourists around the world for the ultimate nature experience (Pforr & Megerl, 2006).

Geotourism’s first definition appeared in a professional magazine by Hose in 1995 where he stated that: “The provision of interpretative and service facilities to enable tourists to acquire knowledge and understanding of the geology and geomorphology of a site (including its contribution to the development of the Earth sciences) beyond the level of mere aesthetic appreciation” (Hose, 2006). Recent definitions read as follows: “Geotourism is a form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on geology and landscape. It promotes tourism to geosites and the conservation of geo-diversity and an understanding of earth sciences through

Geotourism and Geoparks: The Case of Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere Geopark

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appreciation and learning. This is achieved through independent visits to geological features, use of geo-trails and view points, guided tours, geo-activities and patronage of geosite visitor centers” (Newsome & Dowling, 2010). In Newsome and Dowling’s (2006:3) definition of geotourism, the “geo” part pertains to geology and geomorphology and the natural resources of landscapes, landforms, fossil beds, rocks and minerals, with an emphasis on appreciating the process that are creating and created such features. At the same time, the tourism component of geotourism involves visits to geosites for the purposes of passive recreation, engaging in a sense of wonder, appreciation and learning. In association with these visits there may be regular tours, specific activities and even the development of accommodation facilities.

Geotourism implies the development of a geotourism product that protects geoheritage, helps communities, communicates and promotes geological heritage and works for a wide range of different people (Dowling, 2008:227). Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism, which meets the needs of today’s tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for future. It is predicted as “leading to management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled as well as maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems” (WTO, 1998).

There are five key principles which are fundamental to geotourism, namely that geotourism is geologically based (that is based on the earth’s geoheritage), sustainable (i.e., economically viable, community enhancing and fosters geoconservation), educative (achieved through geo-interpretation), locally beneficial and generates tourist satisfaction. The first three characteristics are considered to be essential for a product to be considered “geotourism” while the last two are viewed as being desirable for all forms of tourism (Dowling, 2011).

On the other hand Boley et al. (2011) explains the goal of geotourism as to maintain the character of the place. It does not just involve travel to undisturbed natural areas or to centers of human activity but travel to destinations where nature and people come together to setup a working landscape. However, education of the people is also very important in geotourism. Tongkul (2006) presents geotourism as the utilization of geological heritage resources for education-based tourism. He asserts that geological heritage resource is based on the intrinsic values of geological and geomorphological features, where these intrinsic values may include scientific, aesthetic, recreational and cultural values.

Ideally, geotourism can be beneficial for both the tourist and the host because it can provide the tourist with an “authentic” experience while holistically sustaining the destinations unique qualities (Boley et al., 2011). Further, geotourism achieves a quasi-balance between regional value and sustainable use, and development by using the potential of the landscape and its established infrastructure (Frey et al., 2006). Moreover, it can make a major contribution to the alleviation of poverty in rural areas (Reimold et al., 2006) by creating employment opportunities in the region. Its potential as a job and income generator, particularly for local communities and therefore as an effective means for regional development, has evaluated geotourism by being strongly encouraged by governments through the development of policies and strategies (Pforr & Megerl, 2006). With sound planning, taking into account the sustainable principles of environmental conservation, community well-being and economic benefits, geotourism offers a potential basis for community and/or regional development for many places around the world (Dowling & Newsome, 2006). To be successful, conservation of geological heritage requires concerted involvement of all stakeholders, both geologists and non-geologists (e.g. politicians, planners, landowners, developers and the public/local communities) (Tongkul, 2006).

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GEOPARKS In the last decade geotourism has been taking off in a new direction based upon

sites called „geoparks”, both national and global (Turner, 2006). Geoparks, a fairly recent development focusing in particular on geotopes of regional and national geoscientific importance, can be seen as instruments to coordinate many stakeholders towards the common purpose of regional sustainable development (Pforr & Megerl, 2006). Through the international respect and reach of UNESCO, geoparks have already begun to make their mark on communities and regions; with even greater awareness by countries, the geopark movement will become the benchmark for geotourism acceptance by governments, regions, communities and tourists (Dowling & Newsome, 2006).

The concept of a geopark, as outlined in the operational guidelines published by UNESCO in 2002, is to serve the three goals of conserving a healthy environment, educating in the Earth science and fostering sustainable, local economic development. The ultimate goal of the geopark program is to provide a better understanding of geological heritage and wise use of the Earth (Nowlan et al., 2004).

Geopark is usually understood to be an area designated for its geological and/or geomorphological (i.e. landscape) interest, and using this heritage for sustainable development (UNESCO). According to the definition of the European Geoparks Network established in 2000, a European Geopark is a territory which combines the protection and promotion of geological heritage with sustainable local development including the following main characteristics (Zouras, 2004:165):

- First, a European Geopark has to encompass a particular geological heritage, with specific geological, mineralogical, geophysical, geomorphological, paleontological or geographical features.

- Second, the local authorities of each geopark have to agree to the promotion, with the financial support of the European Union, of a sustainable territorial development strategy for the development of the Geopark area. A European geopark must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development.

- Another important characteristic is that the sites in a European Geopark must be linked in a network, and benefit from protection and management measures. A European Geopark is obliged to defend the values of geological heritage conservation and thus no destruction or sale of geological objects from a European Geopark may be tolerated.

- A European Geopark must be managed by a clearly defined structure, organized according to the national legislation of each country and able to enforce the protection, enhancement and sustainable development policies within its territory.

In essence, geoparks aim to foster regional identity, create greater awareness for local conservation issues through geo-education, and act as a framework for regional sustainable development by bringing together a wide range of stakeholders (Pforr & Megerl, 2006).

Geoparks have been established to create enhanced employment opportunities for the people who live within their boundaries and foster economic benefits for them, usually through the development of sustainable tourism (Dowling, 2011). Geoparks stimulate economic activity and sustainable development through geotourism. By attracting increasing number of visitors, a geopark fosters local socio-economic development through the promotion of a quality label linked with the local natural heritage. It encourages the creation of local enterprises and cottage industries involved in geotourism and geological products (Dowling, 2011). Further, Dowling discusses that the challenge to geotourism in any region or country is to develop its tourism capacity and the quality of its products without adversely affecting the geoenvironment that maintains and nurtures it.

The establishment of geoparks should be based on a strong concept, political will with financial long-term support, and professional management structures (Frey


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et al., 2006). Hence, it is essential that, prior to the creation of a geopark, there should be comprehensive and exhaustive discussions with the community, researchers, and government agents to search for a common impetus (Piranha et al., 2011). Geoparks can bring a new combination of social, economic and environmental information to the political table. Many might benefit from supporting geoparks including farmers in rural areas, small businesses and even industries. Such a sharing of knowledge can be made more efficient by the international geopark network linked to UNESCO and the International Union of Geological Sciences and other interested bodies (Turner, 2006). In this way, local governments, economic entities and local communities can consciously take part in the work of geological heritage protection. As the implementation and construction of the UNESCO World Geopark advances, it may be expected that humanity will open a new page on geological heritage protection with it (Jianjun et al., 2006).

According to Martini (2009) geoparks cannot be simply traditionally protected nature areas for teaching and appreciating their geological components „with sustainable development in mind”. The geopark’s vocation is to be something totally new and different, allowing us to feel space, to think of time, and by so doing to set the present within a past-future continuum. It must clearly afford a different approach to, a different relation with, „nature”, developing new forms of management and equipment. Its mission is to propose a new philosophy of territory, and it must deploy an overall reflection on the holistic and symbolic meaning of geological heritage. Martini concludes that the 21st century geoparks must have something novel to offer in broad spectrum of protected and managed nature areas. As such, it is proposed that all should strive to conceptualize the geoparks of the future.

Figure 1. The site of the project

KIZILCAHAMAM-ÇAMLIDERE GEOPARK PROJECT STUDY AREA Kizilcahamam and Çamlidere are two districts of Ankara with their rich natural and

geological heritage (Figure 1-2). The flora of two districts constitutes a transition zone between the Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions, and for this reason the climate, vegetation and landforms are peculiar to the region. Being close to Ankara (75-85 km)

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and lacks of sufficient local agriculture and industry accelerated the immigration of local people to urban areas. Similar to other rural areas in Anatolia, many villages are almost empty. New business activities and satisfying employment opportunities are needed to vitalize the region and retain people in their villages and lands.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The natural and geological heritage of the region offers a good potential for both

the development of geotourism and diversification of the tourism offerings of the country. Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere Geopark and Geotourism Project has been developed both to protect geological heritage and to provide economic benefits for sustainable local development. Following the principle that everyone has something to give, the development of partnerships becomes a key aim of the most initiatives (Brunsden et al., 2009). The project is supported and financed by several insitutes, namely: Governorship of Ankara, Ankara University, Kizilcahamam Municipality, Governorship of Kizilcahamam, Governorship of Çamlidere and the Turkish Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage.

Figure 2. The site and the routes of the project

(Source: www.jeoparkankara.com, 2012)

The geopark was opened in 2010 and covers an area of 2000 kilometer square. It is expected that the project will produce permanent results only by embracing local


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people and supports of nature lovers. It is also expected that visits of neighboring urban residents will make the project more efficient with the scientific infrastructure and the visitors will enjoy a unique experience by viewing a large petrified forest, touching a 15 million years fish bone, examining a frog and wings of an insect in a swamp which covers 10 million years (Figure 3-4).

Figure 3. Fish fossil on the rocks in the region

(Source: www.jeoparkankara.com, 2012)

Figure 4. A view from the region (Source: www.jeoparkankara.com, 2012)

The most important geological process which forms the earth crust and the

earth surface is volcanism. Such volcanic events have also occurred in Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere region. Volcanic products extruded from volcanic centers. Sedimentary rocks, deposited in fluvial, lacustrine and marsh environments indicate the pause of volcanism in the region. During the period of some hundred thousand years, the sequence of volcanic and sedimentary rock alternation has been eroded and various valleys, canyons, mountains and hills have been formed. The incisions

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in the geologic sequence exhibit the products and magnificence of ancient events. The Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere Geopark and Geotourism Project liven up this geologic history and bear the geological heritage.

The project, currently, has 23 stops composed of different geologic formations. They are special parts of the earth, ground and rocks, and they constitute the substructure for the fauna and flora of the region. A list of these stops can be seen in Table 1. Stop points have been supported by explanation tables and signs for the people in different levels of backgrounds. A personal approach is highly regarded by guests, and specially trained geopark guides are excellent instruments for communicating geological topics (Frey et al., 2006). People can have the assistance of a guide while touring the geopark trails. For this reason, the Geotourism Square is determined as the meeting point at the center of Kizilcahamam, and preliminary information about the project and stop points can be obtained. A list of stops and formations in the project (Source: www.jeoparkankara.com, 2012):

Old Turkish bath in Sey Guvem columnar basalts and lava flows Fish, leaf and insect fossils in Beskonak Isıkdag (Mount Isık) Karagol (a lake) Man-made caves and Early Roman period chapels in Mahkemeagcin village Fairy chimneys in Abaci village Alicin Monastry and Kirmir Valley Fault in Kizik village, Petrified forest in Pelitcik-Yahsihan village Thermal water springs in Kizilcahamam Andesits in Soguksu National Park Volcanic zone in Soguksu National Park Petrified wood fossil in Soguksu National Park Mineral water springs and travertines in Kizilcahamam Rock formations in Taslica village Taslica village Turtle Brothers Mammalian fossils in Kazan Tuffs of Çamlidere Volcanits in Azaphane Tuffs in Akyarma Volcanits in Ozdere. Four different „georoutes” and three „geotours” may be followed at present, and

they will be expanded in the future. One of the current geotours is within Soguksu National Park. Others are along the Kizilcahamam-Çerkes-Gerede-Kizilcahamam road and on the road of Kizilcahamam-Pelitçik-Çamlidere-Kizilcahamam. For those who desire shorter distances, four different georoutes including five stops are organized.

Following the principle that everyone has something to give, the development of partnerships becomes a key aim of most initiatives (Brunsden et al., 2009). The project is supported and financed by several institutes, namely: the Governorship of Ankara, Ankara University, Kizilcahamam Municipality, Governorship of Kizilcahamam, Governorship of Çamlidere and the Turkish Association for the Conservation of the Geological Heritage. The number of supporters indicates a good cooperation among the interested bodies.

Communication with the public is also necessary for the success of the projects. For this purpose the internet offers a valuable tool for promotion efforts. A well-structured


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webpage is prepared for the project (http://www.jeoparkankara.com). All necessary information about the project is available on the website in two languages, Turkish and English. The webpage also includes visual material to create a better understanding among the public.

CONCLUSION Geotourism and geoparks are relatively new concepts which are gaining

remarkable attention all around the world. In order to protect or conserve geological heritage and foster the potential for local socio-economic development, governments focus on geotourism and geopark projects, and Turkey is not an exception to this. The paper analyzes how such an initiative, namely Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere Geopark and Geotourism Project, is realized. However, having established that it is not sufficient for attaining the desired outcomes of such projects. Offering only „landscape” as a geotouristic attraction is not enough. Other industries had to be taken into account to keep the region competitive. Geotourism was and still is the gate-keeper between industries, supporting social networks and attracting new high-skilled workers (Gerner et al., 2009).

Marketing of a region is more difficult than the marketing of a product due to the high competition and problems arising from the coordination and communication of different advocacy groups. The complexity of successful marketing for a region is high and finding the right combination of marketing strategies is difficult but can positively influence the development of a region, its economy and tourism (Gerner et al., 2009). Creating an image for a region is even more challenging and sometimes only possible by government regulations.

The global market is looking for unique products and a broader mix of experiences. The customers or tourists of today are more sophisticated, well-travelled and discerning and generally come from higher social-economic demographics. As such, creating a geotourism experience unique to the region is highly important for the success of initiatives and future sustainability of the geoparks and geotourism regions, if not those tourist destinations that do not manage their product may have a short life (Kotler et al., 2006). However, managing the product is not an easy task, and requires cooperative efforts. Governmental, local and scientific institutes should collaborate and cooperate for the purpose of management and marketing of the region, otherwise, valuable resources would be wasted in case of individualistic efforts. According to McKeever and Zouros (2009), a Global Geopark has to work within the network for its further expansion and cohesion, collaborate with other geoparks and local enterprises for the achievement of its objectives, create and promote new by-products linked with geological and cultural heritage in the spirit of complementarity with other Global Geopark Network members.

In our current case study of Kizilcahamam-Çamlidere Geopark and Geotourism Project, it is obvious that several bodies and institutes unite their efforts to develop and promote the project. However, the marketing aspect of management seems to be underestimated. Although the project was announced in the national newspapers, and featured in some television news, these efforts were weak and insufficient. In this sense, a strategic marketing plan should be prepared for the specific conditions of the project. This task requires full time staff, long-term financial assurances, and adherence to the plans in the long-run.

Destination images are heavily influenced by pictorial creations used in movies or television, by music, and in some cases by popular entertainers and celebrities (Kotler et al., 2006). For this reason, an effective use of the media is necessary for creating an image for the project and maintaining it. Further, continuous public relations are the basis for public awareness among the population. This requires a

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well-planned media strategy. Maintaining contacts with media representatives is an important investment for the future of any project (Frey et al., 2006).

This paper has examined the Kizilcahamam-Çamlıdere Geopark and Geotourism project. However, further studies are needed. Future studies may analyze geologic and geomorphologic structure of the region. Moreover, managerial structure of the geopark may also be conducted. Finally, studies on the visitor experience may create valuable information for the management and academics.

Aknowlegments An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 14th Contemporary Trends in Tourism

and Hospitality Conference, 2011, Novi Sad, Serbia.

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Short explanation (no more than 100 characters) of why the manuscript suits the GTG.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At least three preferred reviewers (the suggested referees must be from different countries; do not mention co-authors), e-mail and postal address, affiliation, title (Dr., Prof, etc), field of specialization (editors reserve the right to decide if the manuscript will or will not be sent to preferred reviewers):

[1.] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[2.] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[3.] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Declaration/Copyright transfer: - The manuscript submitted represents our own original work and has not been published

and is not being submitted or considered for publication elsewhere - All authors have contributed to the manuscript and that common agreement has been

reached before submission. - All authors participated in the work in a substantive way and are prepared to take public

responsibility for the work. - The text, illustrations, and any other materials included in the manuscript do not infringe

upon any existing copyright or other rights of anyone. - The authors are agreeing that all materials submitted for evaluation (including text,

figures, etc.) retains the property/copyrights of the GTG. - Reproduction, posting, transmission or other distribution or use of the article or any

material contained therein, requires a citation to the GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites.

Yours sincerely, Corresponding author name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Data Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Documents

GeoJournal of Tourism and Geositesgtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/PDF/GTG-2-2012/GTG_2012_2.pdfGeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites ISSN 2065-0817, E-ISSN 2065-1198 Year V no.2, vol. 10, November