Calls to revamp town planning

Jirapha

Chuwit

Preecha

Prakamkrong

Nikom

Kwansuang

Kwansuang Atibodhi: Town planning expert. Problems: The town planning law is inefficient. The charm of the old town and old communities has vanished while people rarely bother with social and cultural activities. The city administration wants to create a green area, while neglecting real public space where people can socialise.

The old town and inner parts of the city are occupied by labourers who migrate from the provinces. These people have no bonds to the city.

Solution: Encourage small and active civic groups to take part in land use management and town conservation activities.

Assoc Prof Chuvit Sucha-Xaya
Urban design & planning lecturer, Architecture Faculty,
Silpakorn University

Problems: The town planning law could not protect farm areas and flood retention sites from real estate expansion. People move out to the city's suburbs to find pollution-free areas.

Solution: The new governor has to tackle traffic problems in the business area by promoting a reliable mass transit system. At the same time, the governor should promote quality of life and safety in residential areas.

Nikom Wairajpanich
chief of BMA's Policy and Planning Department

Problems: Town planning measures have marginalised small, retail business in the inner city by allowing superstores to flourish.

The state focuses too much on modernity to create tourism attractions, neglecting people's traditional ways of life.

Solution: The state should strengthen law enforcement and make the town planning law unchangeable. At the same time, it should put more effort into cultural projects such as folk museums. The BMA plans to build 27 folk museums; four have already opened.

Jirapha Worasiangsuk
lecturer at Thammasat University's Social Science Faculty

Problems: Communities in the old Rattanakosin area are facing eviction under a development master plan issued by the Committee for Conservation and Development of Rattanakosin and Old Towns. There is no public participation in town planning as the state gives more importance to real estate developers and land owners.

Solution: Support small civic groups to promote people's participation.
Pakamkrong Pongpaiboon
Cultural management expert,
Art Connection group

Problem: Lack of public space for people to enjoy cultural and social activities. No alternatives to department stores, movie theatres.

Solution: Provide more public spaces to local artists.

Turn idle land in the inner city and degraded areas into small cultural centres.

Preecha Songwattana
Businessman, and adviser to the Economic and Social Development Council

Problem: Places of cultural value are facing threats from modern development as Pattaya-style entertainment invades cultural sites such as Bang Lamphu.

Solution: Protect cultural sites. Create space for young artists and designers.