Urban Fringe Belts: A New Lens for Tourism Development

The historical legacies embedded in a city’s very structure represent a valuable resource for tourism. Yet, the study of urban form has not been fully recognized for its potential contributions to tourism research and practice. Urban fringe belts exemplify this untapped potential. These areas typically emerge on the city’s edge during periods of slow housing growth. In cities with long histories, the process often produces a series of concentric fringe belts, each separated by residential zones. Such belts are usually green and heritage-rich, containing institutions, market gardens, nurseries, and public spaces such as parks and playing fields. Despite encompassing significant landmarks and ecological zones that preserve physical evidence of a city’s historical development, fringe belts are rarely acknowledged as tourist attractions. This paper addresses that gap by examining the fringe belts of Zhengzhou, China. It seeks to demonstrate how the fringe belt concept can be applied to analyze a city’s spatial structure and, in turn, inform urban tourism strategies. Ultimately, research into fringe belts can help uncover overlooked tourist destinations and provide a stronger foundation for sustainable tourism development.