Urban Restoration

URBAN RESTORATION SAVING URBAN GREEN SPACE IN BANGKOK

RIT LIMPHONGPAND ID: 03015173 Thesis Project Proposal Midpoint Presentation MFA Graphic Design Resubmission

//

1

2

// URBAN RESTORATION

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

04

ABSTRACT

10

INSPRIRATION

16

BACKGROUND

18

PROBLEM

22

PROPOSAL

24

PORTFOLIO

28

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

34

TIMELINE

34

RESUME

35

Contents //

3

INTRODUCTION Green space is an area within an urban environment which is dedicated to nature, such as parks, gardens, natural and seminatural green spaces, vertical gardens, recreation grounds, outdoor sports grounds and green corridors.

Psychologists, sociologists and most people share a comprehensive view that the quality of urban life depends largely on the amount and quality of green spaces. Apart from the aesthetic value, green spaces are considered to play a vital role in the protection of the urban environment.

Urban green spaces act like lungs to the city, keep city cool, act as natural filters and noise absorbers, improve

The city needs urban green spaces for a better environment and a better quality of life for city dwellers.

micro-climate, essentially maintain mental well-being for humans and ensure satisfactory surroundings for recreational and social activities. Not only do urban green spaces improves ecological and psychological environment, they also enhance economic conditions of the community.

These benefits of urban green space are very important.

That's why the city needs urban green spaces for better a environment and a better quality of life for city dwellers. With the lack of green space, the exponential population increase in the 20th century will incrementally pose physical, social, psychological and environmental problems to the city.

4

// URBAN RESTORATION

Introduction //

5

Facts of Green Spaces

• Green space can soak up 3.5 Times more water than hard areas reducing the risk of flooding.

• Tree shelter can reduce heating costs by up to 25%.

• 10,000 square meters of tress and shrubs can absorb a ton of Carbon Dioxide.

• Green space can reduce noise levels and modify sharp tones.

• Studies have found that residents living near green common spaces had more social activities and more visitors, know more about their neighbors, were more concerned with helping and supporting one another and had stronger feelings of belonging.

• G reen spaces provide a refreshing contrast to the harsh shape, color, and texture of buildings, and stimulate the senses with their simple color, sound, smell, and motions • Patients with green views recover quicker by 8.5% compared to patients looking at a buildings view.

• A green view can reduce stress in 3 to 5 minutes.

• Greening school grounds has been proven to reduce bullying and increased learning capacity.

• Open space can reduce anti-social behaviour.

• Well maintained green space in the neighbourhoods have fewer crimes committed to people and property.

• A tree will produce enough oxygen for 10 people.

• The more often a person visits urban open green spaces, the less often he or she will report stress-related illnesses.

• Well maintained green neighbourhoods have fewer crimes committed against people and property.

• Green space can increase property values by 6-35%

SOURCE : The Land Restoration Trust, United Kingdom

6

// URBAN RESTORATION

Benefits of Green Spaces

Green space provides a very cost effective means of promoting health, quality of life and supporting stronger and safer communities, through this and their impact on urban environmental quality they make an immense contribution to the local economy.

PEOPLE • Gives an area for recreation and play • Enables lifelong learning and education • Encourages equality and diversity • Promotes community development and regeneration • Establishes community cohesion and social inclusion • Tackles community safety issues • Empowers communities ENVIRONMENT • Encourages biodiversity • Provides wildlife habitat • Promotes education • Contributes to sustainable resource management • Creates a natural amenity • Gives safe, sustainable transport routes • Alleviates flood risks • Regulates the local microclimate HEALTH • Improves physical health through exercise • Contributes to good mental health and well being • Provides positive community health through sense of space ECONOMY • Attracts economic development and local investment • Provides local employment • Increases land and property values • Encourages ongoing revenue streams through tourism • Improves the image and standing of an area

Introduction //

7

8

// URBAN RESTORATION

”Bangkok is a mega-city that has grown exponentially during the past three or four decades. To sustain massive urban growth, our governments must do more to ensure that policies are implemented to maintain and create new green areas as well as protect a very precarious environment.“ — Terdkiat Sakdicumduang, Ph.D. Head of the Association of Thai Urban Designers

Introduction //

9

10 // URBAN RESTORATION

ABSTRACT The rapid expansion and urbanization together with a general tendency to favor economic development over environmental priorities leads to the limited area of urban green space in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. According to the

The green space per capita amounts to just 3 square meters, compared to the index average of 39 square meters.

Asian Green City Index : Assessing the environmental performance of Asia’s major cities, a study commissioned

by Siemens and performed by the Independent Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Bangkok’s performance is

below average in the categories of land use and buildings. The green space area per capita amounts to just 3 square meters *, compared to the index average of 39 square meters and 9 square meters of a global standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Therefore, I would like to use my thesis in the district scale by starting with using a potential vacant or abandoned land that has been found in the neighborhood as a proposed site.

My thesis will promote the benefits, increase participation and awareness within the community, it could ultimately encourage the developers and gthe government sector to implement the policies to utilized the lands to become green spaces for communities in the future.

* 1 square meter = 10.76 square feets

Abstract // 11

Green Space Area & Population in Bangkok

SOURCE : Urban Green Space Report 2011 by City Planning Department, Bangkok, Thailand

12 // URBAN RESTORATION

Green Space Are per Capita :

4.35 sq.m.

Green Space Area : 24,842,800 sq.m.

Population* : 5,712,636 person

Site : WANG THONGLANG DISTRICT Green Space Area : 114,919 sq.m.

Population* : 115,884 person Green Space Area per Capita : 0.99 sq.m.

Wang Thong Lang is the residential area and my home district.

The district has ranked the third-lowest green space area per capita in the entire 50 districts of Bangkok.

*Number of registered citizens in Bangkok : If calculating the estimate number of 9.3 million people including non-registered citizens from other provinces who living in Bangkok, the green space area per capita will be decreasing to 2.67 square meters.

Abstract // 13

”Utilization or redevelopment of the land are often influenced by several approaches. Most of them are strongly related to economic benefit.“ — Ariya Aruninta Professor of Faculty of Architecture, Dept of Landscape Architecture, Chulalongkorn University

14 // URBAN RESTORATION

Abstract // 15

INSPIRATION My interest has begun since my college years. As I majored in architecture, I have seen many beautiful and functional urban green spaces and landscape designs from many sources.

During summer in 2008, I did travel to major cities in Japan with my friends. These cities have good urban planning and infrastructures. Significantly, well-used and functional urban green spaces can be seen at almost every district.

Also, since I've been studying in the USA, I've noticed that

We shouldn't ignore the relaxing, rejuvenating qualities of green spaces.

the majority of people seems to be aware about the benefits of green spaces as an essential part of life and the cities themselves. Unlike Bangkok, urban green spaces are hardly seen except on some walkways and traffic islands. The city has kept expanding more concrete structures; therefore, green spaces continue to fall victim to the construction projects.

We shouldn't ignore the relaxing, rejuvenating qualities and other benefits of green spaces. Thus, I would want the public to be aware of the benefits of urban green spaces that lead to recreational, ecological, social, health and aesthetics of the city.

16 // URBAN RESTORATION

Inspriration // 17

18 // URBAN RESTORATION

BACKGROUND Bangkok is the capital, the largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. The city is a huge urban sprawling metropolis that has grown massively during the past several decades.

According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Bangkok is a fast urbanized city with a population that increased from 1.3 million people in 1950 to 5.7 million people in 2011, which is the official number of registered citizens but the estimated numbers including non-registered citizens are approximately 9.3 million people.

The urbanization of the city leads to drastic exploitation of the nature, resulting in an unhealthy environment. The city has been experiencing problems, such as deterioration of air

Increasing density resulted in less accessible greenery and recreational areas for everyone.

quality, rising temperature, higher noise levels, less sense of community and more psychological stress on humans. The latter lead some to believe that it has entailed

violence brought on by anxiety and stress. Most importantly, the increase in density results in less accessible greenery and recreational areas for everyone.

Big city living is becoming unsustainable. Many people have led a sedentary lifestyle by unwillingness to venture outside for doing activities, recreation and the joy of being outdoors, they would rather stay home to watch televisions, sit in front of computers or go to department stores for recreational purposes. The need for urban green spaces are increasingly recognized. City dwellers must realize the benefits of green spaces as a vital component of urban landscapes, city's environments and people's quality of life.

Background // 19

”Cities need public spaces that are both green and conducive to art and cultural activities, because life is not all about work and commuting between our home and office.“ — Oraya Sutabutr Professor of Faculty Liberal Arts and Assistant to the Vice-Rector, Thammasat University

20 // URBAN RESTORATION

Background // 21

PROBLEM 1. The increase in density and construction projects result in less accessible urban green spaces for communities. Also, the lack of green space contributes to other problems; for example, a variety of physical, mental and social disadvantages for humans and the city's environments.

2. The public doesn't seem to be aware about this issue. The survey by the United Nations-sponsored study shows that some people have heard or read about it, but they are not taking adequate actions to address this issue. Also, some of existing green spaces have been used for the wrong purpose, such as using a green space for trash dumping.

3. Government or private-owned vacant lands have not been used to utilize into green spaces, instead of being abandoned or occupied with specifically ambiguous purposes.

AUDIENCE Residents in Wang Thonglang District Community awareness and participation could be helpful not only in creating more green spaces, but also protecting and maintaining the existing ones. Additionally, the knowledge and benefits of a green space should be communicated throughout the neighborhoods in Wang Thonglang District.

Developers and Wang Thonglang District Officers To elevate everyone’s quality of life, they need to understand the benefits of urban green spaces in the community. Therefore, they must implement policies or projects about boosting more green spaces accordingly.

22 // URBAN RESTORATION

Problem // 23

ORGANIZATION

Identity

Event

Web Site

System

Public Poster

24 // URBAN RESTORATION

Environmetal

Banner &

Summary

Graphic

Booklet

Book

PROPOSAL As a graphic designer, I would like to take this opportunity to create an organization that would evoke the community awareness about the lack of urban green spaces, promote benefits, enhance public knowledge and increase public participation. The project could be in a form of an event that take place at the potential site, which could develop into a green space. The final outcome could attract developers to establish links with the government sector in order to support this project, employing vacant or abandoned lands into green spaces for the neighborhoods in Wang Thonglang District.

My thesis will take in a form of bilingual writing in Thai and English language. The project could be used or served as a case study to a place share similar contexts. For example, some organizations in the USA want an opportunity to change vacant lands in to green spaces, which might contribute to my thesis such as The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, City Parks Alliance (CPA) in Washington D.C. and Green in Brooklyn.

DELIVERABLE Identity System : It will consists of logo, manual book and stationery systems that represent the organization.

Web site : Having a web site to promote the organization event.

Also providing a forum for discussions.

Event : It will take place on a selected site. The purpose of the event is to encourage participation, create awareness and educate the community about urban green spaces.

Public Poster : By letting the community communicate their views on the development of green spaces, posters will be present to gain the support of developers, government sector and other potential neighborhoods.

Environmental Graphic : Using infographics and informations to introduce benefits, facts and problems, it helps enhance public knowledge and increase awareness to the community. The environmental graphic will be installed at the event site.

Banner & Booklet : These will help promote the event and introduce the problems of the lack of urban green spaces.

Summary Book : It will help elaborate the processes involved in the project, summarize the events that took place, and could be used in the future as a case study.

Proposal // 25

26 // URBAN RESTORATION

”It's possible to make positive changes if environmental awareness truly comes from the heart and is not just mimicking a trend.“ — Chairatana Surajaras Landscape Architect and CEO of RAFA Design Office Company Limited, Bangkok

Proposal // 27

Written, designed, printed, and bound by Rit Limphongpand Midpoint Presentation, Summer 2011 Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California, USA No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission.

Paper : Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte Double-sided Printer : Epson stylus photo 1400 Typeface : Serifa and Univers by Adrien Frutiger Š Copyright Rit Limphongpand 2011

28 // URBAN RESTORATION