Investigating the Effects of Physiological Equivalent Temperature on Urban Tourism (Case Study of Shiraz Metropolis)
Subject Areas :babak ejtemaei 1 * , ghasemali moghtaderi 2
1 - وصال شیرازی
وصال شمالی
2 - Assistant Professor of Geography Department of Payam Noor University
Keywords: Shiraz city, Climatic comfort, physiological equivalent temperature index, physiological stress,
Abstract :
Climate comfort is related to the temperature balance of the human body with its environment. This balance depends on the combination of factors such as: characteristics of the surrounding air, physical activity of the person, ambient temperature, relative humidity, sunlight and wind. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects that the physiological equivalent temperature can have on urban tourism. For this purpose, the surface of Shiraz city was zoned using the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) index on an annual scale, which is zoned based on 10 observational stations. It was calculated in and around the city with the statistical period from 2000 to 2020. The generalization of the calculated station results to the level of the study was done in ArcGIS environment and using the IDW internalization method. According to the obtained results, the favorable and appropriate climatic conditions for tourism throughout the year in Shiraz city change due to the change of seasons and the change of weather conditions between the northern and southern highlands of the central plain. In general, the pattern of daily changes of the index showed that the period of climatic comfort in Shiraz includes two time periods in late spring and summer. The months of May and September are the only months without cold stress and have the best climatic conditions for attracting tourists, and it is the ideal time based on the PET .April and October with little cold stress and June with little heat stress are ranked second respectively. During the months of December, January, and February, the whole city has severe cold stress. Study the pattern of daily changes of the index showed that the spatial changes of the PET index in the region are mostly influenced by the geographical altitude and latitude.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The weather condition of an area is one of the most important factors affecting tourist attraction. Among the information needed by tourists for travel, destination climate conditions are crucial, and most tourists pay attention to climatic considerations when choosing a tourist destination. Various types of climates, such as dry, temperate, rainy, and tropical, offer different attractions and recreational activities for tourists. Tourists usually prefer destinations with favorable weather conditions and a variety of outdoor activities. Weather conditions greatly influence the tourism industry of a country or region. Tourism businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities, heavily rely on favorable weather conditions for their operations and profitability. Sudden changes in weather, natural disasters, and extreme weather events can significantly impact tourism activities and the economy of a region. Therefore, it is essential to monitor weather forecasts and develop contingency plans to minimize the adverse effects of unpredictable weather conditions on tourism.
Methodology
The implementation stages of a tourism climate suitability index for a coastal region with PET are as follows:Initial data: Collecting historical climate data, including temperature and precipitation, and mapping the coastal region's climate zones.Coastal zone delineation: Defining the boundaries of the coastal area.Climate zone mapping: Dividing the coastal region into climate zones based on temperature and precipitation patterns.PET calculation: Calculating the Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) values for each climate zone.Tourism climate suitability assessment: Assessing the suitability of the climate for tourism in each zone based on PET values.Finalization: Finalizing the tourism climate suitability index for the studied area.Application: Using the tourism climate suitability index to categorize the tourism climate zones of the coastal region.
Conclusion
The topography of the area is rugged, with steep hills and valleys. It consists of several small villages scattered around the hillsides. Due to the steepness of the hills and limited access, some areas remain isolated and difficult to reach. In one of these remote villages, located at an altitude of approximately 1400 meters, a new project is underway to establish a PET recycling facility. This initiative aims to address the issue of plastic waste, which has become a significant problem in the region. By setting up this recycling plant, not only will the plastic waste be managed effectively, but it will also create employment opportunities for the local community. Additionally, it will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing pollution and conserving resources.The establishment of the PET recycling facility requires careful planning and coordination. Infrastructure such as roads and utilities need to be developed to support the operation. Moreover, training programs for the local workforce will be essential to ensure the efficient functioning of the facility. Once operational, the facility will collect PET waste from the surrounding areas and process it into raw materials for various industries. This will not only reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste but also create a valuable resource for the manufacturing sector.Overall, the PET recycling project holds great potential for both environmental and socioeconomic benefits in the region. With proper implementation and support, it can serve as a model for sustainable development in similar areas.
Results and discussion
It can be claimed that almost all of the city is suitable for attracting tourists for at least one period of the year. Due to the important role that the elevations have played in the city of Shiraz It is also obtained from the PET index This city has many differences for different months of the year and for the studied stations. The favorable and appropriate climatic conditions for tourism in Shiraz city during the year vary due to the change of seasons and the change of weather conditions between the northern and southern highlands of the central plain. During the winter, the northern and southern regions have lower temperatures, fewer hours of sunshine, and stronger winds due to their elevation and the arrival of high and low pressure systems. This makes the conditions for tourism face obstacles. At the same time, the inner areas of the city have more favorable climatic conditions due to the lower altitude compared to other points. With the arrival of the summer season in the city, the northern and southern highlands create comfortable conditions for tourists due to the moderate conditions.
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