The Sanuk Bangkok

“The Sanuk Bangkok” responds to the existing context of Bangkok and proposes a new alternative to its future development. Drawing from the Thai philosophy “Sanuk”, this project aims to create a liveable neighbourhood that is based on the local culture and contemporary everyday life in Bangkok.

This project intends to revitalize the existing canal by activating the riverbank as a linear park. Based on existing urban fabrics, a new network with integrated modes of transportation is proposed to improve the area’s walkability and connectivity. New neighbourhoods are therefore redefined and redeveloped to provide better living conditions.

The Sanuk Bangkok สนุก

Water meanders through our city like blood flows in our bodies. The greenish saturates the image of our city with fresh air filling up our lungs. We reinvent a sustainable and resilient lifestyle in the metropolis.

This is a well-connected city where we are mobilised to wander every corner of the land. We embrace people from all over the world, from all walks of life. We give the city back to its people, We show love with warmth just like the golden sun.

With duty and care, we treasure our memories, honour the spirits embedded in our city, We live with our glamorous past side by side. We amplify delight in everydayness, Together we revive the soul of the city.

Be ready to expect the unexpected, The liveliness, the safety, The localness, the cosmopolitan, The dynamics, the unique charm, The joy, the love, The past, the future, All in one

We coin this “The Sanuk Bangkok”

Site Introduction

This project is located to the east of Bangkok’s historic city Rattanakosin. This area is home to Thailand’s oldest and best institute of higher education Chulalongkorn University. In the 20th century, this area saw large-scale investments, especially after the operation of the mass public transportation system in 1999. This area is now the major shopping and commercial district and has become Bangkok’s modern city centre.

Flooding

Due to climate change and the rapid pace of transforming canals into concrete roads, flooding has become very common and severe in recent years.

Khlong ครรลอง

Khlong, commonly refers to as ‘canal’ in the Thai language, was an integral part of the development of this city. They not only protect the capital from invasion but also facilitate local transportation before the modern development of vehicles. Khlong Saen Saep travels through the site.

Bangkok in 1920

Transit Traffic Safety

Thailand is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. 16% of traffic fatalities in Bangkok are pedestrians and motor vehicle users are the main categories of traffic fatalities. More than half a per cent of people already register Vehicles and one-third of people use motorcycles. When the footpath is wide, motor vehicles and street stalls often engage the human path.

Vehicle Registered Public Transportation in Bangkok

Share Bike Station

Interchange Station

MRT Station

BTS Train Station

Airport Rail Link Station

Bus Station

Bike Rote

MRT (underground) Blue Line

BTS Skytrain (elevated)Main Line

BTS Skytrain (elevated) Silom Line

Airport Rail Link (elevated)

Ferry route

Boat service could be a potential mode of transportation as it would be releasing some pressure on road traffic. It might be faster to reach the destination by boat compared to other road-based transportation. Nowadays locals rarely use boats as daily transportation due to water quality and safety issues.

The locally informal public transports are not reasonably regulated nor are they divided into specific roads which cause many traffic safety problems.

Pum pum bike sharing is a local program for people to rent bikes, there are quite a lot of bike-sharing stations gathering on the site. However, this program is not as successful as the government expected.

The incomplete bicycle system in Bangkok does not provide a proper cycling conditions. The existing bike lanes are in poor condition and most of the roads do not provide bike lanes.

Ferry Station Taxi

Traffic Composition in Bangkok

Fatal Accidents in Bangkok

(Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 2021) (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 2015) (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 2018) MC(Motorcycle)

16% of fatal accidents in Bangkok are pedestrian crashes

Land Use and Public Infrastructure

Rd

Phaya Thai Rd

Popup markets and informal street stalls are important social infrastructures in local people’s daily life. They not only provide convenience to daily life but also provide significant job opportunities and many people make their living in such a way.

Facilities inside Chulalongkorn University

Source: Chulalongkorn University & Google Street View https://www.chula.ac.th/en/ Department of City Planning, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 2021 http://3d-cpd.bangkok.go.th/bmaall/Default.aspx

Opportunities

Popup Market

Informal settlement blocks the roads, causing bad effects on motorist’s and pedestrian’s use

Informal settlement

The informal settlement has poor living conditions and high building density

Lack of community facilities & open space

The inadequate transportation system. Narrow roads are a potential safety hazard

Canal Rama I Rd

Water quality is relatively low

Ferry facilities have low quality

Streets are not pedestrianfriendly

Severe traffic congestion

Current traffic condition causes potential safety issues

The sky train blocks views of the cityscape and creates an unpleasant experience

Provide job opportunities as the city’s main commercial and educational area

Local pop-up markets and street vendors add vitality to the community

Existing building typologies help preserve a sense of community

Mix-used shophouses provide convenience to both shop owners and the community

Local character is well preserved

Residential Areas

Commercial Activities

The canal has the potential to be transformed into a linear park

The ferry has the potential to reduce the traffic load

Part of the commercial street becomes a pedestrian street to reduce zoning separation and increase the connection between the north and south of the whole area.

Soften traffic safety issues

Make it easier for people living in the residential area to the north to use the public facilities in the school

Bike

Unsatisfied cycling systems

Chulalongkorn University

The university has the potential to provide high-quality educational/ cultural/health resources for the community

Next to the city’s sports facilities

A bike share initiative has been implemented-site

Convenient multi-mode public transportation

Sanuk

-- “the effort to achieve satisfaction in whatever one does and make the most of any situation; inject playfulness and fun into mundane activities”

-- Cultural Atlas from SBS

Blend nature into the concrete jungle

Goals

revitalise the soul of our beloved city

1 2 3 4 Sanuk

Infuse passion to explore a convenient and safe city

Knit the communities with joy and warmth

Water meanders through our city like blood flows in our bodies.

The greenish saturates the image of our city with fresh air filling up our lungs.

We reinvent a sustainable and resilient lifestyle in the metropolis.

This is a well-connected city where we are mobilised to wander every corner of the land. We embrace people from all over the world, from all walks of life. We give the city back to its people, We show love with warmth just like the golden sun.

With duty and care, we treasure our memories, honour the spirits embedded in our city, We live with our glamorous past side by side. We amplify delight in everydayness, Together we revive the soul of the city.

Be ready to expect the unexpected, The liveliness, the safety, The localness, the cosmopolitan, The dynamics, the unique charm, The joy, the love, The past, the future, All in one

We coin this “The Sanuk Bangkok”

The revitalization of the canal is the axis of the new plan, taking into account its history and value to the city. The project aims to create a linear park along the canal to gather people, increase open spaces and improve the ecological environment. To provide a diversity of activities for residents and visitors, the park is divided into different zones

In addition to the existing bridges, four additional bridges have been added to improve the network and circulation. The ferry station was relocated to enhance accessibility and make it easier for people to get to the ferry station and promote it as a public transportation option.

Part of the informal houses in the north river are preserved as cultural heritage. The houses near the riverbank are demolished for parkland. There are some schools and residents surrounding this area and the campus has limited space to settle the infrastructure. Therefore, the south river bank transforms into a sports area for students and residents to exercise. Besides the basketball court is a shelter that allows people to take rest in a cooling environment and also can be a good meeting point.

Taking a ferry is a convenient way to commute, you don’t have to worry about traffic jams at all.

We can watch popup performances and films here!

A wetland along the river is designed to prevent flooding that treats and purifies the water. The canal will link to a network of drains in the city. During dry weather, the flow of water is confined to a narrow canal in the middle of the river. During the rainstorm, that will carry the rainwater downstream gradually and potentially reduce flooding in downstream areas.

Which reminds me of childhood!

Such a nice space for cycling.

That is a great space to exercise while enjoying the riverbank view. Let’s come here again after School tomorrow!

Scenario 2 Car-free Zone

In scenario 2, the modification focuses on connectivity improvement. The commercial street and university are located in the south of the site, while the residential area is located in the north. The busy Rama I Road forms a physical barrier that discourages pedestrian flow. Therefore, this scenario intends to transform this road into a pedestrian street. An elevated bridge at the south is purposed for vehicle movement. Thus, the pedestrian street will not affect car movement in the east-west direction.

Rama I road, a high-end shopping street, connects to the stadium, where the art centre is also located. The design will propose the space underneath the infrastructure as an art plaza at the west and a market at the east. The open space serves as an extension of the building’s interior space, providing more possibilities for the use of the site. This area will be more permeable and facilitate both pedestrian and cyclist movement in the north-south direction.

Here it is glutted with a pronounced artistic atmosphere. That provides a different vibe with the indoor Art Centre Museum.

Yes! That encourages me to use the facilities inside the Uni. The vehicle won’t bother us anymore, is much more safety and cozy.