Locating Potential Areas for Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Transportation Development: A Case Study of Tonekabon City Subject Areas : Sustainable Development

Background and Objectives: Efficient public transportation systems are fundamental to enhancing tourist satisfaction and achieving sustainable urban development. This study aims to identify and prioritize suitable areas for tourism development by implementing the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) approach to address these transportation limitations. Methods: This applied research utilized a descriptive-analytical methodology. Data were collected through documentary studies, field observations, and a survey questionnaire distributed to a panel of 48 experts. The Fuzzy Inverse Hierarchical Weighted Prioritization (IHWP) model was employed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment to analyze and integrate eight key spatial indicators, including land-use mix, population density, and accessibility to transportation networks. Findings: The analysis revealed that approximately 29% of the city's area, predominantly in the northern (coastal), central, and western zones, possesses high potential for TOD-focused tourism infrastructure. Conversely, 34% of the area, mainly on the eastern and southern peripheries, was identified as having low potential. CONCLUSION: The study successfully demonstrates the application of the Fuzzy IHWP model for spatial planning in tourism development. The findings provide an empirical basis for targeted interventions, such as concentrating commercial and recreational activities in the coastal strip, establishing dedicated bicycle lanes, and improving public parking facilities.