The paradox of atmosphere: Tourism, heritage, and urban liveability

Abstract

This paper discusses the paradox of atmosphere in urban tourism and reflects on how atmospheric production can become a tool to improve urban liveability. I draw on atmospheric theory and literature on tourism and atmospheres to describe the link between urban atmospheres and tourism experiences, and I draw on the literature on urban touristification to demonstrate the impacts of tourism activities in urban atmospheres and liveability. I contend that urban atmospheres must be recognized as a form of intangible heritage to ensure that urban liveability is guaranteed in touristified cities. Drawing on the notion of the affective right to the city, I develop the notion of atmospheric justice as a principle for the recognition of atmosphere as heritage.