PLANNING FOR TOURISM BUSINESS DISTRICTS

This case study shows how contrasting planning systems - one regulatory and the other proactive - have resulted in markedly different tourism developments in Niagara Falls (Canada and the United States). In both border cities, older ''downtown'' areas have been eclipsed; in US Niagara Falls, tourist-oriented facilities and services have been consciously mixed with normal central business land uses, forming a well-defined tourism business district. The nature of such districts is examined, along with tourism and municipal planning issues that influence relative attractiveness and competitiveness. Conclusions are drawn on modeling the tourism business districts and on planning strategies for creating them.