Assessing TOD indicators for urban quality design guidelines through the analytic hierarchy process: A case study of Chiang Mai’s light rail transit project

Abstract

The 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017–2021) of Thailand is based on Sustainable Development principles. As such, Chiang Mai Mass Transit Project has been established in the form of a Light Rail Transit (LRT), which is using the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concept in study and planning processes to achieve the goal of being sustainable development. This study uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the importance of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) indicators in Chiang Mai, Thailand, based on their alignment with three aspects of sustainable development: social and cultural, physical and environmental, and economic. Results revealed the adjusted indicator weightages indicate that social and cultural aspects have the highest weight (0.4561), followed by physical and environmental aspects (0.3465), and economic aspects (0.1974). The study proposed a TOD design guideline for areas around LRT stations in Chiang Mai, using Chang Puak station as an example of an “Urban Center” TOD typology, which prioritizes urban quality by considering factors such as land use, accessibility, and public spaces. The findings of this study offered valuable insights for TOD development in Chiang Mai and contributed to a better understanding of the significance of TOD indicators in a city context.