Transformation of Abandoned Railways into Tourist Itineraries/Routes: Model of Revitalization of Marginal Rural Areas

Dušan Ristić (), Danijela Vukoičić, Marko Ivanović, Milena Nikolić, Nikola Milentijević, Ljiljana Mihajlović and Dragan Petrović
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Dušan Ristić: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Danijela Vukoičić: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Marko Ivanović: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Milena Nikolić: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Nikola Milentijević: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Ljiljana Mihajlović: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Dragan Petrović: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-28

Abstract: Railways that were once utilized by conventional speed trains but now lay technologically outdated and neglected are scarcely in use today, with many lying abandoned. These rail networks sprawl across vast areas, posing a substantial impediment to sustainable land use and management. Our research advocates for the adoption of tourist itinerary/route as a viable model for the transformation of abandoned railways into sustainable and functional systems. This innovative concept involves repurposing abandoned railways into tourist itineraries with the aim of utilizing them for tourism and commercial ventures. Recognizing a knowledge gap, particularly the absence of scientifically grounded models, on a selected case study (abandoned regional railway number 223 in the Toplica District, Serbia), we develop and present a model for the identification and Tourist Evaluation of Abandoned Railways (TEAR model). The defined model comprises a total of 27 sub-indicators categorized into four groups of indicators: natural tourist values (NV), anthropogenic tourist values (AV), tourist attractiveness of the railway (TA), and functional values (FV). The findings from the TEAR model suggest that the abandoned railway holds significant tourism value, with a rating of ≥0.7. Specifically, three sets of indicators—NV, AV, and TA—indicate a high level of tourist values (≥0.7), while FV falls within a moderate range of tourist values (0.4 ≤ V < 0.7). This endeavor not only supports sustainable local and regional development but also contributes to the enhancement of rural landscapes and the revitalization of rural areas. Importantly, this initiative aligns directly and indirectly with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus fostering progress towards broader economic, societal, and environmental objectives.

Keywords: transformation; abandoned railway; tourist itinerary; evaluation model; revitalization; rural areas; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Toplica District; Serbia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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