Guidelines for designation of visual management zone to preserve viewpoints of Phrathat Doi Suthep from Ratchadamnoen Road Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

Doi Suthep and Phra That Doi Suthep have long history of being identities of Chiang Mai and have been influenced in Chiang Mai’s history, urban planning, culture and way of people living. Both Doi Suthep and Phra That have become important sacred places and centers of Chiang Mai’s soul and spirit. In the past, Phra That Doi Suthep could be seen from everywhere within Chiang Mai city, but presently, the scenery is less noticeable due to the expansion of the town. This research aims to identify the appropriate approaches of city development to protect Phra That Doi Suthep’s view from historic and economic area of the city which is Ratchadamneon Road. Visual quality assessment was performed by dividing areas along the road into different visual units, and identifying photograph point of each unit.  After that, the representative photos were selected and simulated to improve their visual quality to Doi Suthep using three alternatives which include cleaning up the existing landscape, generating new buildings followed existing building regulations, and creating ideal building improvement. Then a questionnaire was created to survey attitude of locals, tourists, and environmental designers toward those proposed visual quality improvement alternatives.  The result indicated that people prefer the clean-up environment choice to present situation, but less satisfaction with new buildings under existing regulation. However, the ideally building improvement option which has more public green area and clear scenery of Phra That Doi Suthep was the most preferable one. The results of this research can be used as the criteria to create visual management zones for preserving the view and viewpoints of Phra That Doi Suthep in the future.