Tracing industrial heritage: the case of Berlin bicycle route

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate how the industrial heritage is represented on a cultural bicycle trail and used as a tool for constructing tourist gaze. A qualitative case study methodology is used, where the analysis is two-fold. A phenomenological approach is adopted at first step. The bicycle route is explored to get first-hand experience and familiarize with the data in the physical urban context. The second step is document analysis. Texts are collected and analysed for interpreting the meaning by digging deeper into socio-cultural context. The cycling route is a form of experience bridging the spatio-temporal gap between tangible heritage (monuments, landmarks) and intangible dimensions (symbols and meanings). The findings reveal shifts in meaning drawing on relations between the physical space and represented space. The cultural routes are of interest as applied tourism products. They provide opportunities for creating a strong destination image. This exploratory research is an initial examination of how cultural routes can shape tourism experience. It presents a framework to tackle with heritage and representation, while offering further avenues for investigating urban tourism where tourists can be co-creators for adding other layers of meaning. This helps increase awareness about urban heritage and offers an alternative tourist gaze and perception.