Introduction
One of the key functions of urban parks is their significant role in promoting recreation, leisure, and tourism within cities. In the contemporary era, leisure, recreation, and tourism have become essential components of human life. Therefore, addressing these aspects through effective urban management is of paramount importance. One of the primary concerns for urban and tourism planners is the design and development of new parks within cities. Urban parks encompass a variety of spaces, elements, and structures, each of which can contribute to the tourism and recreational characteristics of a city. Consequently, when designing and planning the construction of new parks with a focus on tourism, it is essential to consider the impacts and significance of the various elements and spaces within the park, as well as the factors that can influence their performance and efficacy. In determining the factors and indicators that impact park planning and construction, the issue of competitiveness plays a crucial role. Competitiveness highlights the distinctiveness and value of a factor or element in comparison to its competitors and similar counterparts, ultimately leading to increased demand. Yazd, as one of the country's prominent tourist destinations, possesses significant potential for the development of tourism and leisure activities. Thus, it is imperative to develop and implement studies and strategies for its enhancement. Specifically, by focusing on competitive factors and indicators in the design and construction of parks, it is possible to create parks that offer greater economic efficiency, more advantageous locations, increased visitor and tourist attraction, and improved performance. This approach also strengthens participation, enhances the park’s functions, and bolsters the tourism assets of Yazd. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to identify the key components and competitiveness indicators for the design and construction of new urban parks with a tourism-oriented approach in Yazd. Additionally, this study aims to analyze these indicators to inform urban planning and optimize tourism development in the city’s future.
 
Methodology
This research is applied and qualitative in nature, focusing on the analysis of data. A library-documentary approach has been employed to gather data regarding the current status of Yazd city and its surrounding areas, as well as to identify factors influencing the parks. The field method, including interviews and direct observations, has been utilized to identify and analyze the competitiveness indicators related to the design and construction of new urban parks in Yazd city. The statistical population of the study includes officials and managers involved in tourism in Yazd, such as staff from the General Department of Cultural Heritage, Yazd Municipality, the Management and Planning Organization, Yazd Governorate, and local law enforcement; private sector tourism stakeholders, including tourism education centers, tour guide associations, and businesses such as hotels and restaurants; tourism researchers or those with research experience; residents of Yazd; and visitors to the city. For sampling, a qualitative snowball sampling technique was applied, and theoretical saturation was used to determine the sample size. This approach was carried out separately for each of the five groups in the statistical population. Accordingly, the sample sizes for each group were as follows: 20 managers, 15 tourism activists, 15 researchers, 35 residents of Yazd, and 20 tourists. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively using inductive thematic analysis and the MAXQDA software.
 
Results
One of the most crucial studies in the context of urban park tourism is the analysis of its supply and demand dynamics. Understanding the supply and demand of a park allows for the identification and analysis of the factors that contribute to its competitiveness. Examining tourism supply in park design is important because the various components, elements, and structures integrated into park planning reflect the local cultural, social, and economic identity of Yazd, thereby embodying the city's overall characteristics. In designing these parks, attention was given to the capacities of cultural tourism, ecotourism, commercial tourism, children's tourism, health tourism, as well as handicrafts and culinary tourism. The findings of the research highlight several key components that contribute to the competitiveness of the design and construction of new urban parks in Yazd with a tourism focus. These include: innovative marketing strategies, the gradual evolution of branding towards entertainment-oriented identities, a diverse range of amusement-related products, the promotion of family-oriented and affordable tourism, favorable communication and accessibility, the city’s local cultural and historical resources, strong social and environmental security, the harmonious coexistence of diverse religious, ethnic, and national groups, the natural and ecological resources of Yazd and the surrounding region, the optimal spatial configuration of the city, and the emphasis on leveraging the city’s sunny climate and clean energy potential.
Discussion and Conclusion
A key aspect of this research is its focus on the concept of foresight and an experimental approach to the issue at hand. This means that the analysis of the competitiveness indicators of parks is primarily aimed at the design and construction of future parks in Yazd. Unlike studies that focus solely on existing parks, this research considers the potential design and construction of new tourist parks and examines which indicators would enhance their competitiveness. This approach is motivated by the current inadequacy of recreational and green spaces in Yazd, where per capita green space is limited, and parks are poorly distributed spatially. Therefore, the construction of new parks is viewed as a solution to address these deficiencies. Additionally, the issue of land development considers the relationship between people, space, and resources. The design of these parks aims to promote urban spatial justice, ensuring equitable access to green spaces. Another significant aspect of this study is its emphasis on the tourism potential of these parks. While parks are typically constructed for various economic, environmental, and recreational purposes, this research prioritizes the tourism aspects, aiming to create parks with regional, and potentially national, appeal. Furthermore, the design of the new parks is closely linked to tourism demand and supply conditions. Given that the park development is tourism-oriented, the design process incorporates all the local capitals, unique features, and tourism-related elements of Yazd and its surroundings. Efforts were made to ensure that the new parks are designed to maximize the potential of these resources, aligning with the broader goals of enhancing tourism and creating sustainable, attractive spaces.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We extend our gratitude to all the scientific consultants who contributed to this paper.