BANGKOK, Nov 27 – The Bangkok City Dynamic Workshop 2024: Urban Spacemaking Exploration took place both in person in Bangkok and at Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) from November 22 to 26, 2024. An online session was held on November 16, 2024, during which workshop participants from the Faculty of Architecture at RMUTT, the Faculty of Architecture, Urban Design and Creative Arts at Mahasarakham University (MSU), and the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) attended three lecture series. The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Lee Yoke Lai and Dr. Mohd Ruzaini Che Zahari, who guided 17 fourth-year landscape architecture students from UTM. This international workshop aimed to contribute to the International Workshop of Asian Heritage (IWAH) initiative and promote collaboration among partner universities in the field of the built environment.

Day 1: Urban Walk and Site Familiarization

Participants from UTM, RMUTT, and MSU gathered for an urban walk to familiarize themselves with the site and engage in ice-breaking activities. During this session, workshop attendees discussed their initial ideas regarding the Charoenkrung Creative District.

The primary objectives of the workshop were to review urban trails, identify the types of creative activities, map creative resources within creative and cultural districts, and synthesize their findings to propose urban design solutions aimed at enhancing space-making in these creative districts.

Day 2: Workshop Opening and Site Visit

The opening ceremony of the international workshop took place at the Creative Economy Agency in Charoenkrung, Bangrak, Bangkok. It commenced with a welcome speech from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage (ASA), followed by addresses from representatives of each participating university. Dr. Mongkhol Khan introduced the workshop, outlining the workflow and expected outcomes for the final presentations.

Dr. Lee Yoke Lai from UTM delivered a lecture on space-making in creative districts. Meanwhile, Piya Limpit, Deputy Director of Urban Allay, shared valuable insights on the Bangkok Creative District. A question-and-answer (Q&A) session followed, addressing the challenges and effectiveness of approaches to creative cities.

After lunch, participants were divided into six groups for a site visit and evaluation of the Charoenkrung Creative District (Zones A, B, and C). Guided by facilitators from the three universities, the groups conducted cultural mapping and creative tourism studies as part of their appraisal. The groups returned to the ASA building in the evening to present their site inventories and analyses.

Day 3: Site Observations, Interviews, and Design Development

The international workshop continued with site observations and interviews with the local community in the Charoenkrung Creative District. This area is characterized by a rich diversity of creative activities and economic development, particularly in gastronomy, arts and crafts, silver making, cultural institutions, a cathedral, fashion, and districts of the Muslim community, including mosques. Each workshop group focused on the strengths of the selected site and developed their synthesis.

During the progress presentations, initial ideas were showcased through superimposed perspectives and images, illustrating design concepts and solutions for space-making in creative cities. The design critique session provided an opportunity for each group to refine their ideas and incorporate strategies for creative space-making that would enhance local well-being and social and economic benefits.

The synthesized ideas aimed to improve public spaces in creative cities by enhancing pedestrian connectivity and accessibility, developing a green network, preserving heritage, and upgrading the public realm. Ultimately, the proposals were designed to support creative tourism in the Charoenkrung Creative District.

Day 4: Presentations, Closing Ceremony, and Farewell Party

On Day 4, all workshop delegates traveled to RMUTT in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. Each workshop group was prepared to give their presentations, which were judged by lecturers from RMUTT, MSU, and UTM. Each group presented a video followed by their design proposals for the three main zones of the Charoenkrung Creative District.

The presentations showcased a variety of design themes and innovative solutions, illustrated with meaningful graphics and design concepts aimed at supporting the creative ecosystem and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 within the creative industry of Charoenkrung. The students demonstrated great effort in completing their presentations within a short timeframe.

The workshop concluded with a closing session, during which lecturers and group representatives shared their reflections on the experience. The event also promoted cultural exchange between Malaysian and Thai participants. It ended on a high note with delicious Thai cuisine, joyful performances, and engaging games.

Day 5: Technical Visit for Landscape Projects

On the final day of the workshop, Sajjapongs Lekuthai, the design director of Landprocess, led a visit to landscape project sites, including Chong Nonsi Canal Park and Chulalongkorn Centenary Park. The visits provided detailed briefings on landscape design, canal park design, water purification, stormwater management, and flood mitigation strategies. These transformative projects showcased the integration of urban design principles that emphasize ecosystem benefits, flood resilience, effective water management, social values, urban connectivity, and enhanced livability.

The next destinations were the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) and Benjakitti Central Forest Park. These sites exemplify Bangkok’s commitment to sustainable urban development by incorporating green infrastructure into city planning. Benjakitti Central Forest Park, a large urban park, connects surrounding commercial and residential neighborhoods through a network of pedestrian and cycling paths, promoting non-motorized mobility and improving the city’s livability. These case studies highlight Bangkok’s innovative approach to sustainable city planning and urban resilience.

The Bangkok City Dynamic Workshop 2024 emphasized the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in addressing urban challenges. It provided UTM students with hands-on experience in creative space-making, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable urban planning. The workshop also enabled UTM to foster global partnerships and equip students with the design skills and global citizenship necessary to tackle the challenges of creative placemaking in the built environment.

On behalf of the Landscape Architecture Department, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to FABU and UTM International for their generous sponsorship. Their support has enhanced students’ academic knowledge, interpersonal skills, and opportunities for cultural exchange. We look forward to continued cooperation between RMUTT, MSU, and UTM in future initiatives.