Central Pattana (CPN), a major shareholder in Grand Canal Land (GLAND), has launched an urban vegetable farm called "g Garden" in the Rama IX area.
The g Garden pilot project turns plots of land awaiting construction into green spaces where growers can generate income year-round. City dwellers can visit the green space and buy vegetables at reasonable prices on the weekends, said Naparat Sriwanvit, chief financial officer and senior executive at CPN.
She said the project should inspire Bangkok residents to learn more about urban farming, increasing the diversity of the urban ecological system.
"Central Pattana has been focusing on providing a good livelihood for the community and supporting a good environment. We are now using the concept of co-creating space and shared value for community to create the g Garden on a land plot of nearly four rai adjacent to Central Grand Rama 9," said Mrs Naparat.
In terms of sustainability, the project demonstrates how Bangkok's waterways can be rehabilitated as it will treat water from the Yai Soon Canal and use it for agricultural purposes.
"The project was created with a creative urban development approach based on sustainable development goals. Considerations were given to space, food, agriculture and the environment in a truly integrated way for the first time in the Thai real estate and shopping centre industries," she said.
Panida Sooksridakul, deputy managing director of GLAND, said g Garden is a sustainability project co-developed with multiple organisations specialising in green space such as Big Trees Project, Ageekculture, JaiTalad, Khlong Toey Dee Jung and Poonsuk Market.
GLAND has four undeveloped land plots of over 190 rai in total in areas of high potential in Bangkok, which are expected to help boost its long-term growth.
Currently unoccupied land in The Grand Rama 9 project and a plot in the Phahonyothin area are being considered for mixed-use projects.
The firm will also use a land plot in Don Mueang for the development of the Nirati Donmueang project, and it is studying how to develop a plot in the Kamphaeng Phet Road area.