Bringing green back to Bangkok
Capital looks towards more open spaces, writes Supoj Wancharoen
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has an ambitious plan to transform the capital into a green city with its “Bangkok Green Network” project.
As part of the project, City Hall will fill part of Sathon Road with greenery and recreational spots, make the area more pedestrian-friendly and make access to public transportation easier.
To achieve the goal, the BMA’s Department of City Planning hired Chulalongkorn University’s Chula Unisearch to design a master plan for the Green Network Project and choose an ideal location to be developed as a pilot study.
The university is set to submit the plan to the department this month. It will be used as the template for City Hall to use as a model to develop green areas in the capital in the future.
A se c t i o n stretching from the Sathon-Rama 4 i ntersection to Soi Convent was selected as the pilot project, named “Sathon Model”, according to Pavinee Inchompoo, an architecture lecturer from CU, a member of the design team.
Originally proposed at 3,350 metres, stretching from the Sathon intersection to Saphan Taksin Bridge, the team decided to make the project smaller for easier management.
Ms Pavinee said Sathon Road was chosen for the pilot project because it is located in the central business district and is close to densely populated residential areas. The road also connects to rail, water and land transport.
The Skytrain’s Taksin station provides access to water transport on the Chao Phraya River, while the road itself links to main city thoroughfares including Narathiwat and Rama 3 roads.
More importantly, it is within easy reach of Lumpini Park on Rama 4 Road and even Benjasiri Park on Sukhumvit Road, creating a perfect cycling route that would include an elevated pathway that already links the two parks, Ms Pavinee said.
“On top of that, there is no opposition to the project from residents. There is no problem with the physical features of the road,” claimed Ms Pavinee. Green spaces will be added along both sides of Sathon.
Trees that provide shade will be planted to make it cooler. Ornamental trees which are easy to maintain are the perfect choice, Ms Pavinee said, explaining that some trees require a higher degree of care particularly during the cooler autumn months when flowers fall.
A canopy of thick leaves would shield people from the sun and it can serve as a resting place for cyclists heading to the two public parks on hot days, she added.
The team places great emphasis on improvements to existing bicycles lanes, Ms Pavinee noted. The bike lane which is now a part of the left-most lane would be raised to pavement level, making it a protected strip.
The project team will also ask the BMA to work with relevant state agencies to remove power poles and put electrical wires underground, to make pavements more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
Part of the plan, the water quality in Sathon Canal — which is located between Sathon Nua and Sathon Tai — will be developed into a recreational area where people can relax.
The team will also propose constructing a skywalk above the canal which would link up with Bangkok Rapid Transit’s Grey Line which is a part of the BMA’s transport infrastructure plans, according to Ms Pavinee.
One of the planned monorail lines in the city, the Grey Line (Watcharapol– Lat Phrao–Rama IV–Rama IX Bridge) is designed to support the growth of residential areas around Pradit Manutham Road and the Sathupradit area in Yannawa district. Stretching over 26km, the route is expected to serve more than 340,000 passengers a day.
Architecture lecturer Pongsak Vattanasintu, a member of the design team, said future green spots will connect with existing urban open spaces like Lumpini Park making a network of green areas.
He said it would not only be good for the public but also the environment and that a green network will enhance the city’s landscape.
He urged the private sector to increase its involvement in the project.
The green space network is aimed at creating more space for walking, cycling and making parts of the city more accessible, Mr Pongsak noted.
The project also aims to promote the involvement of residents, he noted, saying a network of green advocates would be a fortunate byproduct of the project.
People will be urged to engage in environmentally friendly and creative activities and schemes.
It will allow city dwellers to enjoy natural features including parks which are a constant source of pleasure, Mr Pongsak said.
The Green Network project will encourage people to become involved in conservation activities such as cleaning up polluted canals and keeping them clean, while urging the public to acquire greater awareness of the resources they use each day.
Wanchai Tanomsak, head of the Department of City Planning overseeing the Green Network project, said the master plan follows ministerial regulations set out in an integrated Bangkok city planning blueprint produced in 2013.
The regulations focus on ecological restoration, environmentally friendly activities and urban open spaces, he said.
“We want to put the plan into practice,” Mr Wanchai said.
Under city development and economic development plans, a number of structures and buildings were constructed over many years, which seriously upset the balance of nature in the city, he noted.
“We need to restore the ecological system. We hope the project will help reduce the level of air pollution in the city, while improving the city landscape, making it pleasing to the eye.”
Mr Wanchai said the BMA hopes help from Chula Unisearch will make the project happen.
Once the master plan is completed, it will be submitted to the Green Network committee which was established by city governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra to oversee green policies for consideration, he said.
The plan will later be forwarded to BMA’s executives for final approval.
If successful, Bangkok’s Green Network experiment could be tried in other cities, he added.
Oraya Sutabutr, a member of Big Trees Project — an environment advocacy group — and a Bangkok Green Network committee member says the plan should be practical and based on real demands.
Investing a huge amount on new infrastructure such as an elevated walkway or recreational space above Sathon Canal might not be practical, she said.
“Nobody will walk across the wide Sathon Road to sit above a canal which is now used for irrigation,” she commented, explaining the water will also become dirtier as it will not be exposed to sunlight.
Ms Oraya suggested that City Hall improve the existing pavements by providing more space and shade for pedestrians.