Tourism Capacity and Green Infrastructure: Evidence from the Eastern part of Lake Alakol

Abstract

   With the growing tourist load and increased anthropogenic pressure on coastal areas, the need to develop sustainable management models for tourist destinations based on the integration of natural and infrastructural solutions is becoming urgent.

   The aim of this study is to develop a scientifically grounded approach to assessing the capacity of green infrastructure and to propose mechanisms for managing tourist flows to reduce anthropogenic pressure and improve the quality of the destination’s tourism environment.

   The research methods include spatial analysis using geoinformation tools, and the calculation of recreational capacity based on normative, spatial, and temporal approaches, using the methodology for assessing the capacity of territories. The initial data are represented by spatial characteristics of the territory, standards of recreational load, infrastructure parameters (pedestrian and bicycle zones), and time indicators of attendance. The results of the study show that, based on normative spatial modeling, with an area of 40,000 m² and a standard of 50 m² per visitor, the simultaneous recreational capacity is 200 people. Considering the turnover rate, the daily throughput reaches 1,200 visits, and during the peak tourist period (60 days), 72,000 visits. The obtained values indicate the possibility of effectively redistributing tourist flows and reducing the burden on coastal ecosystems through the introduction of the AEEB model. The findings indicate the potential to regulate tourist flows and reduce anthropogenic pressure on coastal ecosystems.