Identifying the physical-spatial components of the valuable vernacular villages based on tourism development (Case study: foothill villages in the west of Mazandaran Province)

Introduction
Paying attention to the physical-spatial structure and strengthening them in the rural environment is one of the most significant aspects of leisure time in the development of tourism. In other words, the physical-spatial factors of the village directly affect the mental impression of each person, so each person has a different mental image of that rural place according to his or her mental background. It is justified given the relationship between the structure of the village and the cultural, historical, and social backgrounds of each person from that particular place. In other words, tourists are looking for emotional memories, feelings, and symbols that, in combination with each other, create a general and lasting personal experience in them. The physical-spatial structure evokes the meanings of belonging and dependence to a socio-cultural and climatic situation in each rural texture and creates a special experience and perception in the minds of tourists, and makes them willing to visit that place continuously. In this regard, the province managers have tried to give more attention to identifying villages with the necessary potential to attract tourists. However, the lack of clear and specific criteria for each rural area due to its specific physical-spatial texture sometimes makes it difficult to develop long-term plans and implement them. Hence, it is essential to identify physical-spatial factors and criteria in line with the development of tourism in vernacular villages.



Methods
Given the questions raised, the present study is exploratory in terms of nature and a descriptive survey in terms of the data collection method. It was conducted as follows. First, using library studies and tools such as slips, tables, and forms, the existing knowledge about the physical-spatial components affecting the development of tourism was organized and classified using the content analysis method. Then, the data collected from the previous steps were categorized through the objective and content table. This table includes the primary components and indicators of the visual organization to improve the physical image. After approving the goals and concepts extracted, these goals were turned into the research question. The result of this process was presented in a table in the form of concepts (contents) and examples (questions), and objectives (items). The face and content validities of the prepared questionnaire were confirmed through an interview with 5 professors of the architectural and rural experts' group. To examine the construct validity of the research questionnaire, a statistical population including 250 rural and tourism experts and professors, and architecture students were used. Using the virtual reality system, the environment of the 5 studied villages was simulated and displayed for them in the form of a virtual tour. The obtained data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis in SPSS software.

Results
The interpretation of the given matrix shows that 9 factors can be defined. The first factor which is the first class of respondents includes 20 items, the second factor includes 13 items, the third factor includes 7 items, the fourth factor includes 3 items, the fifth factor includes 4 items, the sixth and eighth factors include 4 items, the seventh factor includes 3 items, and the ninth factor includes 3 items. The results of Pearson's correlation coefficient have shown that there is a positive and significant relationship between 9 physical-spatial factors and also between these factors and the variable of tourism development. Among physical-spatial factors, the highest correlation is related to comfort and infrastructure factors and decorative elements and architectural style with a correlation coefficient of 0.625. Then the results of regression analysis have shown; The tourism development variable has a correlation with all nine physical-spatial factors at the rate of 0.990. Based on the adjusted coefficient of determination, 97.9% of the changes in tourism development in villages are explained by the linear combination of changes in independent physical-spatial variables.

Discussion
The results revealed that 9 factors of physical and environmental quality, spatial organization and permeability, decorative elements and architectural style, welfare, and infrastructure facilities, climatic compatibility, greenery and natural scenery, cultural and religious centers, physical comfort, identity, and personality of the place are effective in the development of tourism in rural areas. In other words, physical-spatial factors of the village directly affect the mental impression of each person, so each person has a different mental image of that rural place based on his or her mental background. It is justified given the relationship between the structure of the village and the cultural, historical, and social backgrounds of each person from that particular place. In other words, tourists are looking for emotional memories, feelings, and symbols that create a general and lasting personal experience in them in combination with each other. The physical-spatial structure that evokes the meanings of belonging and dependence to a socio-cultural and climatic situation in each rural texture creates a special experience and perception in the minds of tourists and makes them willing to visit that place continuously.

Conclusion
The results indicated that the structure and texture of the villages studied in this study have been created based on the geographical location in the heart of the mountain and in line with the climate and virgin nature and natural bed. These villages are suitable places for tourism development thanks to their potential and natural potential, climatic characteristics, interesting ecological landscapes, and various natural attractions. Using special native materials compatible with the climate, adding tangible and visual components of the space, including plant diversity through the planting of suitable species compatible with the climate of the region, using native and resistant plants in the mental and spiritual conditions of the space have led to the formation of physical-spatial patterns compatible with the climatic conditions of the region, which has always paved the way for any planning in these regions in different parts of tourism since if tourists select a specific destination and come back satisfied with their travel experience, they will undoubtedly encourage their friends and family to travel to that destination and the desire of tourists to visit that destination again will increase.