“CAPITALIZING THE LANDSCAPE POTENTIAL OF THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA DELIMITED BY THE IARA VALLEY AND SOIMULUI VALLEY FROM THE MUNTELE MARE MASSIF, APUSENI MOUNTAINS, ROMANIA”

Abstract: The studied area has a great development potential by capitalizing the landscape potential. In evaluating the paths of development, the touristic option was found to be the most suitable because it preserves the landscape and traditional values and also enhances the social life by offering a substantial amount of working places. The past economic activities based on forest exploitation and animal breeding offered only a limited support and sometimes even damaged the environment by over exploitation.In the concept of sustainable development of the Apuseni Mountains promoted by the County Council Cluj, the capitalizing of the touristic potential and the development of the small industries to serve the created touristic base, are the priority solutions for this area.The touristic development proposed was designed by taking into account the principles of the sustainable tourism. The development of a main touristic complex surrounded by several satellites will be benefic both for the inhabitants and local environment by offering the means to preserve the nature and tradition, and also for the Transylvanian area by providing a recreational space.

CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE GEOGRAPHIC AREAL Geographic location. The area bordered by the Ierii Valley and Soimului Valley is located in the central-northern part of the Muntele Mare Massif, component of the Charpathians –Apuseni Mountains. Muntele Mare Massif together with Gilau Mountains represents the second highest compartment of the Apuseni Mountains, being located in the north-east part of this group of mountains; the borders are: in north Huedin depression, in south Aries river, in east Iara-Savadisla passage and in west Batrana and Vladeasa Mountains.

The specific landscape of the area bordered by Ierii valley and Soimului valley is a true mountain landscape, that includes both surfaces of levelisation represented by broad summits with plateau appearance (the highest peaks exceeding 1600 m) and the deep valleys with the appearance of gorges.The place in the geomorphologic structure of the Apuseni mountains. The Apuseni Mountains are characterized by a great lithological variety, they constitute a "Geological synthesis" of the Carpathians, lithological variety that is also found in the area bordered by Ierii valley and Soimului valley. In the area the presence of the granite rocks, schist and limestone intrusions led to a relief characterized through: a). on the crystalline schist there are dominant the summits shaped as broad smooth elongated bridges; b). on granites are dominant the bulging summits with isolated erosion whinesses. c). the limestone massifs led to the generation of a specific relief, due to the metamorphosis of the limestone massifs and specific tectonic conditions. The morphological component. Muntele Mare Massif dominates the area bordered by Ieri Valley and Soimului Valley. The main ridge of the Muntele Mare Massif is unfolding on a length of over 40 km. Starting at the Steaua saddle. Muntele Mare Massif is

formed by an alignment of high ridges: Nedeia (1594 m) Balomireasa (1632 m) Capatana (1599 m) Muntele Mare (1826 m) Pietrele Marunte (1735 m) Buscatul (1676 m) Pietrele Incalecate (1492 m) and Ghergheleului (1372 m). The lower section saddle like Prislop (1621 m)-between Ierii Valley and Mare Valley – is separating the main ridge in two compartments: Muntele Mare in east and Balomireasa in west.

In the Northwest the Piatra Grosilor peak enters the Iara basin as a short secondary ridge situated between Iara Valley and Soimului Valley. Towards west, parallel with that ridge is the ridge Smidele-Dumitreasa-Batrana (length of cca.25 km) deeply carved by the tributaries of Iara and Somesului Rece rivers. From the point of view of the landscape the relief is characterized by a great variety of landforms. Among the elements of touristic attraction are: the peaks the steep slopes, the differentiated erosion forms, the gorges, the karstic relief, all of them possible touristic attractionsTHE METEO-CLIMATIC COMPONENT. The montane zone Valea Ierii is characterized by the mild continental temperate climate, with the specific aspects conferred by the presence of the middle mountains (altitude 1400 - 1600 m).The yearly

average temperature is situated in the interval 2°C to 5°C .The extreme temperatures are:- In the cold season absolute minim - 34°C (with an average of - 6°C to - 8°C);- In warm season absolute maxim of +25°C (with an average of +12°C and +18°C). First day of freeze is situated around October 1, and last day of sub 00 around May 1. The period with temperatures above the freeze point lasts aprox.120 days /year, and the number of days with snow cover are 100 to150 days /year. The topoclimatic level of the ridges with an altitude of 1200 to 1600 m located in the west side of the Apuseni Mountain catena is sheltered from the dominant westerly circulation of the air currents of Atlantic origin is characterized by an amount of precipitation smaller than the normal regarding the altitude, and a high intensity solar radiation (120-125 kcal/cmp/an). The climatic components presents variations with the altitude and the local morphology are leading to the generation of favorable conditions for tourism:- thermic factor is favourably the air therapy (baths of air) offering in the limits of existing temperatures, +18°C to +23°C the sensation of thermic comfort;- radioactive complex, by the existence of the UV radiation;- the layer of snow by its characteristics (thickness, duration, lack of avalanches)

combined with the relief is encouraging the winter tourism being favorable both for wintersports and for walking.

The hydrgraphic component. The area bordered is overlaying with the upper basin of Iara river with its tributaries: Valea Soimului, Valea Calului, Valea Galbena-Bonduresei and Marutu. On the valleys of Bonduresei, Soimului and Calului are constructed reservoirs that are included in the hydro-energetic system Somesul. The hydrographic network, together with the reservoirs encourages the sportive fishing.The biogeographic component . Due to the extension on altitude of the territory bordered by the Ierii valley and Soimului valley de la 600 m la 1826 m, the pedological and climatic conditions led to the stratification of the landscape (from the bottom to the top) in at least five levels. In the area are encountered subalpine grassland landscape, transition landscape between herbaceous vegetation and forest vegetation, coniferous forest, deciduous tree forest.

An element of certain tourist value is represented by the presence of game species common in the Apuseni Mountains but here more numerous due to the fact that the area is situated in the location of former hunting park at the beginning of the century. The main game species are the bears and the stags.ANTHROPIC COMPONENT a. The landscape, istorical-cultural and architectural background. In the area bordered by Valea Ierii and Soimului rivers are located objectives with architectonic value that can constitute tourist attractions. In this category are included :- ancient houses build of pine-tree wood carved on two sides, assembled at corners without nails by a special carpenter technique called “bites ” and having the roof in two slopes;- the sheepfolds build of pine-tree wood and organized in farm structure situated in the

high plateaus;The monastery in the Plopi village situated in a wide saddle and offering a spectacular panorama constitutes a new touristic objective.b. The rural spiritual nature

In this category of touristic activities are included: - The feasts and the customs: religious and traditional Among the traditional feasts are remarkable those related to the main traditional activity sheep breeding: the forming of the herds, the measuring of the milk, the separation of the lambs, the sheep haircut; - The traditional clothes, rich ornamented with elements specific to the area.

THE PROTECTION AND CAPITALIZATION OF THE LANSCAPE POTENTIAL. The concept of protection of the landscape potential existing in the area aims the conservation of the traditional elements that encourage the preservation of the of the geographical area bordered by the Iara and Soimului valleys:

a) The structure of the anthropic activity based on the animal breeding and craftsmanship activities specific for the rural mountain household.

b) The system of organizing the locality hearth in “Groves” (cluster of houses dispersed in the territory)a) The system of development of the rural settlements in the Apuseni Mountains through

“by swarming” system by which the household is transmitted from the parents to the children by dividing the parental owned land.

The only solution for conservation of the elements that encouraged the unspoiled preservation of the landscape through time is represented by the touristic capitalization of the area. This solution will offer economic reasons to local people for continuing the traditional way of household activities.The touristic capitalization takes into account the realization of a “touristic offer” to praise the existing landscape potential in its entire complexity. For this reason there are foreseen the following touristic activities:

a) Marked touristic routes;b) Walking, horse riding, sledge and coach excursions on marked routes ;c) Belvedere points;d) Organizing fishing and hunting matches; e) Specific arrangements for sky and extreme sports (paragliding);

f) The necessary arrangements for a diversified pleasure activities; The necessity of diversification of the “touristic offer” led to the designing of special

facilities for:a) Organizing of symposiums and professional trainingb) Organizing of sport cantonments in which the natural frame should represent an

important advantage.PROPOSED MODEL OF TOURISTIC DEVELOPMENT. The defining characteristics of the geographical area bordered by the Iara Valley and Soimului Valley praise the existence of the landscape values (natural and anthropic) with a high touristic potential, value that determined a specific way of life (the specific of the human settlements, the nature of the economic activities, defining of the values) which lead in time to the establishing of the ethnographical zone "Mocanimea Hasdatelor". The human intervention (through establishing of human settlements, moderate deforestation for obtaining space for grasslands and hayfields, rational exploitation of the forest, hydrological activities related to the realization of the storage lakes) in the natural environment created an harmoniously integrated landscape:

a) the alternation of the forests (on the valley sides and in the deep valleys) with the grasslands and hayfields offer on the whole summit of the Muntele Mare Massif the panorama of a beautiful specific perspective, in which the homes scattered in the system of “Groups ” (through the architecture and materials used) contribute to the defining of the landscape;

b) the valleys that in the altitude area are shaped as defile (in some areas as gorges) offer and landscape attraction through the charm of the watercourse and surrounding relief.

Through the “General Urbanism Plan of Valea Ierii comuna, Cluj county ”, elaborated in 1999 and approved by the Ministry of Public Work and Territory Arrangement is foreseen the capitalization of the touristic potential of the area through the arrangement of the touristical zones: Soim-Iara, Bondureasa, Soim-Tina, Tarnita, Intre-Iere and Dobrin. By respecting the touristic development structure specified by the “General Plan of Urbanism comuna Valea Ierii, Cluj County " and correlating with the touristic potential of the area bordered by the Iara valley and Soimului valley, the models of touristic development are: a) the Radial Model of Touristic Development, in which the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara ensures the function of a touristic crossroad; b) the Concentric-Zonal Model of Touristic Development in which the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara becomes an major nucleus that lead to development in the system of neighboring rings in which appear smaller nucleus. The defining of the Model of Touristic Development is necessary for defining the functions of the Touristic Complex and as a consequence, in defining the structure of equipment of the Touristic Complex. THE RADIAL MODEL OF TOURISTIC DEVELOPMENT. By its position the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara poses all the specific elements required for the "Touristic crossroad ", function, the complex securing the link with the touristic objectives located on the upper courses of: Valea Ierii, Valea Soimului and Valea Calului rivers. The radial model of touristic development ensures the capitalization of the touristic potential, the existing touristic offer in the area bordered by Iara valley and Soimului valley allowing: a) organizing of touristic circuits (with several degrees of complexity) adapted to all categories of age and to the climatic conditions of every season;

b) organizing of sport activities: winter sports, hunting and fishing, extreme sports. c) activities for pleasure: walking, horse riding, sledge and coach excursions) air therapy in the points of belvedere divertissement; d) organizing of symposiums, meetings, and sport cantonments in which the natural frame should represent an important advantage; e). touristic transit with the function of “terminus point” or “intermediate point” for the touristic routes in Apuseni Mountains. THE CONCENTRIC-ZONAL MODEL OF TOURISTIC DEVELOPMENT. The studies of grounding for the “ General Plan of Urbanism Valea Ierii comuna, Cluj County “ praised the factors that can act as motor force for the development of Valea Ierii comuna. The main aspects are:

a). Capitalizing of the touristic potential of the geographical area located in the administrative perimeter of the comuna Valea Ierii; b). Developing of the sectors of economic activity (agriculture and small industry) to serve priority the touristic industry. In this category is included: animal breeding, milk processing, and meat processing forest fruit processing.Taking the solutions proposed for the tourism development by the " General Plan of Urbanism comuna Valea Ierii, Cluj county”, the position of the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara, allows to the adaptation of the concentric-zonal model of touristic development, in which the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara acts as Major Nucleus having as "Secondary Nucleus “ the future touristic arrangements from: Bondureasa, Soim-Tina, Tarnita, Intre-Iere and Dobrin. TOURISTIC COMPLEX SOIM-IARA The development of the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara is intended to ensure the capitalization of the landscape potential of the geographical area bordered by the Iara and Soimului Valleys in the terms of ensuring the functions that emerge thorough the models of touristic development Radial and Concentric zonal.The Touristic complex Soim-Iara will be placed at the confluence between Soimului and Ierii valley on a land of 6,60 ha surface.The connection with the locality Valea Ierii and the points of touristic attraction is realized trough forestry roads:a). Forestry road parallel with Vale Ierii ensures the connection with the locality Valea Ierii and the touristic area Bondureasa, and through the connection with the forestry road on the Valea Calului is ensured the connection with the locality CERN and with the touristic areas Tarnita, Intre-Iere and Dobrin;b). Forestry road parallel with Soimului Valley ensures the connection with the touristic area Soim-Tina and the localities Maguri-Racatau and Campeni (Alba county). Through this road is possible the integration of the Touristical Complex Soim-Iara in the touristical circuit of Apuseni Mountains.THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TOURISTIC COMPLEX SOIM-IARA. In the context of the using in combined system the model of radial touristic development with the model of touristic development zonal-concentric, the functions of the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara are defined in correlation with the demands of development models. In the concept of development of the Touristic Complex Soim-Iara the realized functions are: a) the function of catering with a capacity of 252 places distributed as follows: - in transit regime (accommodation in hotel) 64 places;

- in resort regime (accommodation in villas) 188 places; b) the function of touristic offer: touristic circuits with different complexity; points of belvedere; organizing of fishing and hunting activities; c) the sportive function: sport hall, tennis court, and sky slope in cold season, parapant and delta flying in summer; d) the function of sport training camp for the physical preparation of the performance sportsmen and sportswomen; e) the function of pleasure: Horse riding, sledge and carriage excursions; pool, sauna; training hall; playground for children; park; bar; snooker hall. f) the complementary functions: facilities for organizing of symposia and meetings for groups of 36 to 200 persons; g) the social function: post office; pharmaceutical point; sanitary point; h) the administrative function: trout farm, horse complex, maintenance ateliers; social group, administrative group, other facilities.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONThe proposed model seek to achieve the development of the area by taking advantage of the natural potential represented by the picturesque landscape and generous resources.By realizing the touristic complex the area will benefit by switching the actual economic activities with a negative impact on environment (overexploitation of the resources) with a sustainable development based in principal on tourism and associated activities.The touristic activities should be organized accordingly to the principles of the sustainable tourism and also thoroughly supervised by local and regional authorities in order to obtain the maximum benefit without damaging the environment. Of great interest is also the creating of a responsible environmental behavior among the local people and visitors, attitude that hopefully will contribute to the sustainable development of the area.