Architecture from the Participatory Design Process: a case of Bangkok Yai urban community park, Bangkok

Abstract

This research proposes a design approach for architecture and landscape planning by transforming an underutilized large concrete slab above a subway tunnel into a public park and community center for the Bangkok Yai district. The study addresses the issue of inefficient land use resulting from the construction of both elevated and underground railway routes under the Blue Line of the Bangkok Mass Transit System. The area in question is located at the transition point between the elevated track and the underground tunnel, between Tha Phra and Isaraphap stations, managed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). Due to the MRT construction, land in the Bangkok Yai community was expropriated, resulting in a large concrete plaza that severed the original traffic routes of the community. This resulted in a lack of interaction among surrounding neighborhoods and a clear spatial division. Through a participatory design process under the Co-creation framework, the research identifies the community's needs for land use, zoning, and public park features, as well as exploring the community's identity. The findings highlight key design principles, (1) participatory design, (2) design for the elderly, and (3) design using lightweight structures. These principles led to the design of the public urban park with the central concept of "Missing-link Park" which aims to reconnect the original pathways of the community, enhance activity spaces, and foster interaction among the residents of the Bangkok Yai district.