Performative Public Space: A Landscape in 21st Century Bangkok is a capstone option studio at the International Program in Design and Architecture at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Studio Instructor: Nilay Mistry, RLA, ASLA
There are quite a number of interesting issues from this incident. One, the fight over between green and commercial space, a practical irony here, especially in Bangkok with less than 2sqm/person of green space, whilst commercial spaces are everywhere where there's circulation. Two, the implementation of green space in Siam Square as of right now is just ridiculous, sacrificing the most important urban function of 'walking' to protect property rights; not too different to that of my research at the moment. Three, the discussion of management rights of the foot path is quite interesting as well. The area is owned by CU, but the threshold/footpath is usually managed by BMA, the transition between these two authorities have created a 'no-man's land.' Four, the keyword to the head of district's office's words is 'drop in'. This is a vast difference from 'passing through' that is the precedence of this shopping venue. People shop as they walk from A->BTS. The new space is creating the third place: A->B->BTS. And unless the new area is place people walk by anyway, the commercial value of the shopping street would change. In the long run, I think it'll end up good with a better walkability along the road front, with accessible shopping venues in an orderly fashion 'soi' or alleys along the path, like cul-de-sacs that do not disrupt mainframe circulation. Only that the movements from both sides (CU vs vendors) are too aggressive at the moment.
I think we need to consider the long-term consequences of the vendors. They might not be making as much money as before because we have to admit that the footpath along the street is more commonly used as opposed to the sois which are used alot but the circulation is definitely not as frequent. However, the new green space could just be the beginning of a new implementation because it clearly should have more practical function than being just pots of plants. It's a start, I think, if in the future it provides more function. Just my thoughts!
There are quite a number of interesting issues from this incident.
ReplyDeleteOne, the fight over between green and commercial space, a practical irony here, especially in Bangkok with less than 2sqm/person of green space, whilst commercial spaces are everywhere where there's circulation.
Two, the implementation of green space in Siam Square as of right now is just ridiculous, sacrificing the most important urban function of 'walking' to protect property rights; not too different to that of my research at the moment.
Three, the discussion of management rights of the foot path is quite interesting as well. The area is owned by CU, but the threshold/footpath is usually managed by BMA, the transition between these two authorities have created a 'no-man's land.'
Four, the keyword to the head of district's office's words is 'drop in'. This is a vast difference from 'passing through' that is the precedence of this shopping venue. People shop as they walk from A->BTS. The new space is creating the third place: A->B->BTS. And unless the new area is place people walk by anyway, the commercial value of the shopping street would change.
In the long run, I think it'll end up good with a better walkability along the road front, with accessible shopping venues in an orderly fashion 'soi' or alleys along the path, like cul-de-sacs that do not disrupt mainframe circulation. Only that the movements from both sides (CU vs vendors) are too aggressive at the moment.
I think we need to consider the long-term consequences of the vendors. They might not be making as much money as before because we have to admit that the footpath along the street is more commonly used as opposed to the sois which are used alot but the circulation is definitely not as frequent.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the new green space could just be the beginning of a new implementation because it clearly should have more practical function than being just pots of plants. It's a start, I think, if in the future it provides more function.
Just my thoughts!