Abstract:
To 1) study the development of the Chiang Mai central business district from the past to the present; 2) study the factors that influence the central business district; 3) analyze the potential of the central business district; and 4) propose development guidelines for the study area. The research methods included a study of the history of the city and development of the central business district, review of theories and other research, and questionnaires given to three subject groups, 150 consumers, 150 residents, and 150 entrepreneurs in the study area. Results of this study found that the central business district serves both Chiang Mai province itself and neighboring provinces. Most customers who come to use services offered in the central business district are city center residents and Thai and foreign tourists. The main activities are shopping and services. It was shown that nowadays the central business district is still the center of business and services. In addition, distance and frequency of service use have a direct relationship, i.e., the further the distance, the less the frequency. Subject would rather use the closest, most convenient service when possible. As far as development of the central business district, customer behaviors and existing problems, results showed that the central business district is experiencing a recession leading towards a depression. There are four factors influencing this 1) Physical factors, such as transportation infrastructure with an over abundance of automobiles, population density, extension into suburban residential areas and businesses locations; 2) Economics factors such as land prices, decentralization policy for economic expansion, and the impact of the economic crisis; 3) Social factors such as increasing population, changing consumer demands and trends; 4) Other factors such as land use in the central business district and neighboring districts, and uninhabitable open areas. In addition, the central business district has development and renewal potential because this area is such an important commercial area. Recommendations for the central business district are 1) The conservation of the central business district through conservation policies and legal measures for old buildings on Tha-Pae Road; 2) The rehabilitation of the central business district through problem solving and zoning in Varoros Market, Ton Lum Yai Market and the Night Bazaar; 3) The redevelopment of the central business district through removal of unusable, non historic buildings on Ratchawong Road, Loey Krae Road and Chang Klan Road.