The Relation Between Urban Riverbank Reconstruction and Tourism Attractiveness Shaping- A Case Study of Love River in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Abstract

Love River has played a critical role in the development of Kaohsiung City. The city recently succeeded in publicizing the bank scenery of Love River, which has now become a tourist destination in Kaohsiung. Love River′s lower reach was chosen as the subject of this study, in order to explore the relation between urban riverbank reconstruction and tourism attractiveness shaping; this study adopted the approach of focus group interview involving planning officials, non-governmental organizations, tourists, industries and local residents; it established Love River Tourism Attractive Elements Questionnaire based on the Kano Model and carried out research in five major dimensions including existing resources, tourism activities, food and accommodation, transportation, and spatial comfort so as to determine the elements that help shape riverbank attractiveness. The results of the investigation were analyzed, and suggestions for riverbank development were provided. The statistical analysis concludes that to enhance the riverbank tourism attractions of Love River, the following priority sequence of development should be followed: (1) proactive development; (2) basic development; (3) considerable development; (4) suspended development. Considering the development priority sequence of the attractive elements of Love River riverbank tourism, this study finally proposed concrete suggestions for Love River′s future development in four parts: spatial form, experience of the four senses, transportation planning, and activity strategy.