More than half of residents and business owners in Bangkok's Charoen Krung district have agreed to have their historical area developed to boost their standard of living, says Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC).
Their views came after TCDC finished its Co-Creative Charoenkrung Project, the pilot project for the planned creative district policy.
The policy is intended to drive the local economy and sustainable growth by renovating historical areas, starting with older parts of Bangkok.
TCDC, together with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, began the Co-Creative Charoenkrung Project in July last year. With a budget of 340 million baht, nearly 350,000 square metres will be subject to a raft of improvements.
They include renovating riverside areas along the Chao Phraya River, refurbishing abandoned buildings, redesigning street signs, upgrading street connections and expanding green areas.
TCDC president Apisit Laistrooglai said related parties, from residents to business operators, shared the view that the Charoen Krung district still lacked public areas to accommodate creative activities for locals.
"Public participation is vital for community development. We went to many places in the Charoen Krung area and gave some suggestions to locals on how to improve their public space. We got a lot of positive feedback," he said.
After one year, the Co-Creative Charoenkrung Project was implemented under the concept of revival, relink and rebrand, which has served to improve some parts of the historical area.
TCDC deputy managing director Kittiratana Pitipanich said the agency, working as the facilitator and interface organiser for the government, saw the importance of community improvements for better living.
Mr Kittiratana said he hoped the Co-Creative Charoenkrung Project would serve the government's creative economy policy.
"Before having a successful creative economy, we have to start with creative districts and creative cities. This is a great beginning," said Mr Kittiratana.
He said many areas in Thailand should follow the model of the Co-Creative Charoenkrung Project. Some of them have great potential to be developed into areas that maximise their creative potential, rather than being underutilised, added Mr Kittiratana.
"This will also benefit Thailand's tourism industry and generate more income for locals," he said.
Apart from co-operation from locals, Mr Kittiratana said the most important factor for making this project happen, and then replicating it both throughout Bangkok and the country, is the vision of local leaders.