GIS and DIKW Integration for Creative Tourism Policy in Historic Phitsanulok

Creative tourism serves as a vital engine for sustainable economic growth and urban revitalization, especially in historic cities endowed with rich cultural heritage. However, development in these areas frequently encounters a crucial challenge: integrating effective heritage conservation with robust economic expansion. This study aims to analyze the potential for creative tourism development in four historic old-town communities of Phitsanulok, Thailand, by proposing an integrated methodological framework to systematically address this imbalance. The research employed a sequential mixed-methods design, conducting a comprehensive spatial census of 1,518 historic building units across the four communities using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the QField fieldwork tool. Quantitative findings confirm a significant potential for adaptive reuse, inventorying 16.07% (n=244) of vacant or abandoned buildings which constitute a critical physical resource for conversion into creative hubs. Planning challenges, however, stem from the predominantly two-story profile ($>78\%$) and the high rate of owner-occupancy (80.70%), which demands customized incentives and direct negotiation rather than reliance on market rental mechanisms. By applying the DIKW (Data–Information–Knowledge–Wisdom) Model, the generated spatial data were transformed into actionable insights, pinpointing opportunities to establish Creative Mixed-use Zones and commercial-cultural initiatives, particularly in high-density areas such as the Ruam Jai community. The study concludes with policy recommendations for integrated spatial management, including the implementation of Smart Zoning and the development of creative tourism routes. This approach provides a practical, evidence-based framework with clear implications for other historic cities seeking to achieve a strategic balance between heritage conservation and sustainable tourism and economic growth.