Campaign for alternate designs to Chao Phraya promenade
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A GROUP called the Friends of River has launched a campaign on Facebook, urging people to come up with an alternative design to the government's Chao Phraya Riverside Promenade Project, which has been the subject of criticism.
The “Sketches for the River Challenge” campaign calls for people to submit designs that will take into account local people’s way of life, community culture, history and the environment.
Those joining the campaign are also encouraged to introduce the challenge to at least three other people. So far, 20 designs have been submitted.
Yossapon Boonsom, founder of the campaign, said the new designs would eventually be submitted to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the government.
“In two weeks, our group will also hold an exhibition on the project, in which the alternative designs will be presented alongside facts and case studies of similar projects. The intention is to raise awareness and publicise facts about the project,” Yossapon said.
He explained that in order for the BMA to properly implement the project, it should first study local communities and open the door to public participation, as the government’s plan has completely ignored local communities.
“It’s a good thing that the BMA called on the Association of Siamese Architects to take part in the designing the project’s master plan, but we want to see more public participation,” he said.
Most of the designs submitted to the campaign aim to cut down on concrete infrastructure, reconcile with the river’s environment and adapt to nearby communities.
Yossapon himself has submitted a design in which there is a pedestrian walkway flanked by trees and several open green spaces along the river. His design also includes tidal pools that can be used for rare water plants and habitats for aquatic animals. His plan matches the local environment and reduces the effect on local communities and historic buildings.
Many people have objected to the government’s plan to build a Bt14-billion promenade along the Chao Phraya, saying it will deeply impact the riverside way of life, the environment and water drainage capacity in the event of flooding. According to the Association for Chao Phraya Riverside Development, 27 communities will be affected by the 14-kilometre long promenade, not just one as claimed by the BMA.
