JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

The different meaning of “smart city” between government agencies and city dwellers inChiang Mai Municipality

Sant Suwatcharapinun — 2024-06-30

The article focuses on the smart city development policies implemented by the Chiang Mai City Municipality, specifically in line with the Chiang Mai Development Plan from 2018 to 2022, resulting in various projects for city dwellers. These projects play an important role in transforming the city. The objectives of the article are as follows (1) to explore the different perspectives and interpretations of the concept of a “smart city”: The article aims to investigate the varying viewpoints and meanings attributed to the term “smart city” by government agencies and city dwellers. The focus is on the Nimmanhaemin area, which is part of the Smart Nimman project initiated by the Chiang Mai City Municipality. By examining this project, the article aims to understand how different stakeholders perceive and understand the concept of a Smart City. (2) to analyze the utilization of space in the Smart Nimman project in response to business, work, and education; and (3) to propose smart city policy development based on the analysis. The research combines information obtained from government policies with interviews from officials in charge of planning and strategy of the Smart Nimman project, as well as information gathered from an experimental design competition for architectural students in the theme of “Chiang Mai How Smart We Are” in 2021. Students interpreted from the city dweller’s position who lived and had direct experience with urban areas. Students’ works tended to reflect how to manage the spaces to accommodate a variety of activities and at the same time encourage reappropriating existing spaces creatively. Their works emphasized the opportunity to connect people more than systematic management, that is the significant difference from the point of view of government agencies. The three key issues identified in the article for the development of smart city development policies are as follows: (1) reviewing of the smart city development plan and learning from the different vision by examining the winning student’s work which can serve as a reflection of the city dwellers. (2) involving city dwellers with diverse needs in the development process by highlighting the significance of citizen participation in the design and development of the smart city; and (3) collaborating with civil societies to co-design the smart city by suggesting that the collaboration with organizations and groups representing various interests and causes can lead to a more holistic and inclusive smart city design. This collaboration should address areas such as
the logistics system, community economy, and the lifestyles of students.

Resident’s attitude towards housing development under the new urban agenda in mueang Thanyaburi

Querida Khotcharee — 2024-06-30

This study aims to analyze the coherence of the operations and assess the resident’s attitude towards the operations in housing and community development in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani Province, based on the concept of the New Urban Agenda that contains five indicators of Habitat III Policy Paper. It used both qualitative and quantitative methods of study, including; document analysis; questionnaire survey in 27 sample communities. The results of the study found that the operations in housing and community development “moderately” comply with the indicators of UN-Habitat’s New Urban Agenda at the policy level. It was noted that the
inconsistency was caused by the lack of understanding by the local authorities on the meaning and role of the operations, as well asthe roles of their agencies in the operations to achieve the goals according to the New Urban Agenda. Therefore, the goals and methods of implementation in accordance with the New Urban Agenda have not been known, despite having set up a provincial working group. The key point is that housing development plans have not yet been identified as part of the urban development plan. This requires a study to analyze the provincial demand and supply of housing in order to propose a policy that will lead to the formulation of measures and action plans to balance the housing market as the concept of “enabling housing market to work”.

Tourism opportunity of ordinary cultural landscape and sustainability: a case of Lamphun Municipality

Angunthip Srisuwan — 2024-06-30

Tourism serves as a pivotal driver of economic development for significant cities worldwide. Particularly, cities designated as global heritage cultural landscapes hold great importance as key tourist destinations in the contemporary era of global tourism. In contrast, ordinary cities often remain overlooked and miss out on opportunities for urban economic development. While ordinary cities may not possess physical settings of outstanding universal value, they nevertheless sustain the lives of their inhabitants and embody inherent authenticity, cultural identity, and values that reflect the collective attitudes of their residents. Consequently, studying ordinary cities becomes a worthwhile endeavor for urban planning and design. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the components and cultural landscape characteristics of an ordinary city, with a focus on the case study of Lamphun. The study aims to present opportunities for the application of cultural landscapes in common cities for tourism purposes. The findings of the study reveal the integrated physical and cultural dimensions of Lamphun, forming a cultural landscape. Additionally, it sheds light on the activities discreetly embedded within modern urban constructions that serve as opportunities for the tourism industry in Lamphun. Furthermore, the study provides insights and recommendations for the sustainable development of tourism in the context of cultural landscapes.

The community participatory in Vihara design to conserve the Borlekta iron ore pit in the Hua Fai temple, Wiang Ta sub-district, Long district, Phrae province

Natthaphon Ruangwitthayanusorn — 2024-06-30

Borlekta iron ore pit area at the Hua Fai temple is a significant source of metal ores for the community in Wiang Ta subdistrict, Long district, Phrae province, with the BorlektaShrine, which serves as a spiritual anchor. These elements represent the local blacksmith community in the northern mountainous valley. Currently, there is an overlap in the perception and resource management within the temple area due to external funding sources that have triggered changes in the physical temple environment, including the vihara construction. This has raised concerns about its impact on the community iron ore pit and space management within the temple. The research has two objectives: (1) to explore the physical conditions of the temple area and survey community opinions on conservation guidelines for the community iron ore pit, and (2) to propose the vihara design guidelines and the conservation of the temple area with the participation of the Hua Fai community. The study employs qualitative research approach to explore the physical space, community opinions, and organize stakeholder subgroup meetings within the community. The study result comprises three key findings: (1) The perception and importance given to the physical condition of the community’s space did not correspond to the actual use, (2) Hua Fai community has participation characteristics based on psychological connections and has a network diagram in the form of centralized decision making, (3) Proposal for the vihara architectural characteristic and conserving the Borlekta community iron ore pit.

Design guidelines for a cycling route, “Eatable Road”: a case study of Highway Route 1252 (Lampang-Chiang Mai) Doi Langka, Lampang province

Thanaporn Porntavakool — 2024-06-30

Abstract

This paper aims to study and provide guidelines for the development of Highway Route 1252 (Lampang-Chiang Mai) for creating safe cycling routes for tourism, covering a total distance of 68 kilometers, and promoting food security by establishing a plantation route called “Eatable Road” with a total distance of 9 kilometers, featuring edible plants and beautiful scenery. Site survey data, physical data, relevant theories, and standards from manuals and related documents were collected and analyzed to optimize the design. The results revealed that; (1) the route has the potential to become a cycling route for tourism, however the road safety should be improved along the route by adding traffic signs, installing traffic barriers, setting up additional facilities, and trimming tree branches that hang over the road and obstruct the view of the beautiful scenery and (2) The eatable road involves the selection of edible local plants such as Indian Gooseberry (as the main tree), Cherry Plum (as shrub), Mulberry (as shrub), and Portulaca Quadrifida (as ground cover). These plants were arranged according to the width of the road shoulder along the 9 kilometers route, especially in public areas of the village, to promote food security, create a beautiful landscape, and represent the village’s unique identity.

Promotion of tourism during flood crisis: a case study of Baan Kong community in Kongkrailat district, Sukhothai province

Supatta Toboonma — 2024-06-30

Tourism is an industry that generates significant income for Thailand due to the diversity of natural and cultural resources, aligning with the prevailing global trends where the travelers increasingly prioritize experiential tourism. Notably, tourists seek immersive encounters with the locals’ lifestyles, culture and traditions. Kong Krailat district in Sukhothai province is a community that endures the annual flood season. The community has derived a unique culture, tradition and way of life related to the flood season. This article aims to explore and study the local community’s assets in Kong Krailat district, encompassing its physical geography, economy, society, development plans, and the community’s perception regarding the cultural tourism development. Additionally, this study aims to assess the potential of the community for cultural tourism during theflood season. Therefore, guidelines for tourism development during the flood season for community were proposed. For data collection, 15 purposive samples were interviewed consisting of local philosophers, seniors,community leaders, entrepreneurs and representatives of Koh Kong villager. In addition, 94 samples of people in Ban Kong moo 9 and moo 10 were surveyed. As a result, ensuring safety for tourists during flood season is suggested by establishing points for rescuers or first aid units. Moreover, plans include promoting homestays and suggesting tourist routes within the community.

A study on the air distribution effect in the stairwell of a townhouse using single-injection air-pressurized system to prevent particulate matter

Chuthamat Puttha — 2024-06-30

Due to the problem of particulate matter with diameter of less than 2.5 micron in Thailand, the values exceed the standard by 3.6 times the air quality guidelines of the World Health Organization. Bringing in guidelines to prevent dust by making the interior space a dust-free area with a positive pressure room system with an air purification system. Townhouses have open spaces between the floors with connected stairways. It is a characteristic to which the principles of the compressed air system of fire escape stairs can be applied. In the general townhouse style, the differences can be clearly seen in the layout of the stairwell. When simulating the single-point air supply in the case of air supply at the top and bottom of the building using the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation program, it was found that the air supply point had little effect on the overall pressure condition but had an effect on the air flow direction. The air supply at the top can make the air flow more evenly than at the bottom. As for the layout of the stairwell, it affects the pressure generated. Model 1 has a straight staircase facing the front of the building, and Model 3 has a U-shaped staircase at the back of the building. There is an average differential pressure value according to the specified criteria, which is 46.85 Pa and 63.05 Pa (in the case of air supply at the top of the building) respectively. But Model 2 has an open stairwell located in the middle of the building. There will be a differential pressure value exceeding the threshold which is 111.32 Pa. However, the general townhouse model is not specifically designed to use this principle. This causes problems in the direction of the air flow that is not completely accessible and in controlling the appropriate pressure conditions.

The process of land management and community design and planning in the agricultural land reform area: a case study of Rabum subdistrict, Lan Sak district, Uthai Thani province

Hathaiwan Ruengyot — 2024-06-30

The government has put forward a land management policy, an issue based on the problem of lang distribution in Thailand for landless poor farmers, a problems in order to achieve land use sustainability. The government has given related agencies permissions to implement land reform policy for landless farmers. In Rabum subdistrict, Lan Sak district, Uthai Thani province, Rabum the area of agricultural land reform covers 3,239 rais, divided into 486 plots, covering 8 communities. Farmers are given equal amounts of land to build houses and manage farmlands. The management system, team work, the plan and budget is insufficient. The research question is then addressed to the process of land allocation and designation that is appropriate and efficient for community planning in Rabum subdistrict The study is based on theoretical concepts related to government’s allocation of land for community use and participatory process in housing development. The research employed both quantitative research and quantitative methods. The questionnaire were given to 220 farmers and the in-depth interviews were conducted to 14 stakeholders. The results were analyzed by mean percentage from the SPSS program and content analysis. The study discovered in that the role of farmers in every step of participation that occurred during the Community Organizations Development Institute (public organization) supported the process under the Baan Mankhong Rural project. This study suggested that the government should support and empower the residents to become active citizen and capable to take part in management. This is to strengthen the community self-sufficiency, unity, strength, and sustainability.