Design Criteria of Outdoor Recreational Zones of National Parks of Iran Case Study: Golshan outdoor recreational zone of Golestan National Park

Abstract

Golestan national park is one of the oldest protected areas in Iran as well as in the world. This park
benefits from a high diversity of physical features as well as rich flora and funa due to its special
geographic location. It is also visited by many tourists, because of its bio-diversity, natural scenic
landscapes and lying along side Asian Highway.
In this research, qualitative and quantitative criteria of design were obtained from and based on comp
rehensives of Golestan National Park, design standards for outdoor recreational areas, national parks
regulations as well as landscape ecology approaches.
So, a desigh of Golshan outdoor recreational zone was performed on the basis of results, and targets
(conservation, educational activities, and outdoor recreational development) and with a minimum of
intervention in natural conditions.