Geo-Visualization of Tourism-Based Landscape Change and Stone Heritage Decay in Petra, Jordan
Heritage tourism is a complex social phenomenon involving intensive human/environmental interaction in inherently fragile landscapes, such as Petra, Jordan. My research explores this relationship in Petra by utilizing complementary rapid field assessment techniques: Repeat photography, the Cultural Stone Stability Index, and various geospatial technologies. The extent to which tourism activity influences physical landscape change—whether beneficial or detrimental—will be condensed into a comprehensive analysis of tourism impact on stone decay and general landscape change intended to aid heritage tourism management, in Petra and elsewhere, in establishing more effective conservation policies. To read more about my specific experience, feel free to read my blog contribution on the Jordan Fulbright Commission's webpage.
