Commercial tourism in historic centers: an analysis proposal using Street View

Abstract

Transformations of the commercial fabric along with the disappearance of traditional shops is a controversial and highly topical issue. The main objective of this research is to analyze retail transformations and study their relationship with the touristification of urban tourist destinations, specifically in historic centers. To this end, an analysis is proposed - using Google Street View application - in which an inventory of existing businesses on San Jacinto Street (Seville) is conducted in three reference years (2008, 2019, 2023), complemented by a series of surveys of the retailers themselves. An increase in activities related to leisure and tourism may be observed, together with a reduction in activities oriented towards residents. This process is intensified in the pedestrian section, located in the tourist space, where a growth in the number of bars and restaurants may be observed. Shopkeepers aspire to increase their tourist vocation, especially in the road section. While it is evident that tourism is a primary factor in the functional transformation of the historic city, this research highlights its convergence with other factors, such as pedestrianization, the patrimonialization of commerce, commercial zoning, or the expansion of the tourist space, all processes driven by the public administration.