Locating Potential Areas for Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Transportation Development: A Case Study of Tonekabon City(مقاله پژوهشی دانشگاه آزاد)
حوزههای تخصصی:
Transportation is a cornerstone of the tourism industry, which is considered one of the most important and lucrative global resources at the dawn of the third millennium. The primary assumption of public transportation development based on sustainable tourism is increasing tourist satisfaction. Additionally, one of the most advanced urban development perspectives that can initiate improvements in current urban conditions and serve as an effective step toward sustainable development is TOD. Suitable, reliable, comfortable, fast, and affordable transportation facilities are prerequisites for tourism development, as tourists consider both cost and time in their decisions. The choice of transportation system or the availability of an appropriate system affects these two factors when accessing tourist destinations. The objective of this research is to apply a transit-oriented development approach to enhance tourism in Tonekabon. The study is applied and descriptive-analytical, utilizing documentary research, observation, and questionnaires for data collection. Additionally, the Fuzzy IHWP method is employed to identify potential tourism zones, with a focus on transit-oriented development. The results indicate that the northern, central, and coastal areas of the city, which cover 29% of its total area, have high potential for locating public transportation stations, such as taxi stands, vans, bus terminals, and bicycle lanes. Finally, recommendations are provided, including widening streets, establishing bicycle lanes, and recreational-hospitality activities in the coastal area, improving taxi services to all areas, widening the main bridge connecting the east and west of the city, and constructing public parking near terminals and the coastline.