KHLONG TOEI FOR EVERYONE
Stakeholder-Driven Urban Transformation
Stakeholder-Driven Urban Transformation
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Time: Spring 2024
Type: Individual
Instructor: Anita Berrizbeitia / Ignacio Bunster-Ossa
Keywords: Regional Planning / Mixed Use / Green Corridor
Time: Spring 2024
Type: Individual
Instructor: Anita Berrizbeitia / Ignacio Bunster-Ossa
Keywords: Regional Planning / Mixed Use / Green Corridor
Situated on the southeast side of Bangkok near the Chao Phraya River, Khlong Toei is home to Thailand’s busiest port—a legacy built and operated by migrant workers since the 1940s. Over time, this effort laid the foundation for the city’s largest informal settlement, now housing over 100,000 residents. However, imminent development plans threaten to replace this vibrant community with upscale residences and business centers, raising serious equity concerns over displacing long-established residents.
At the same time, inaction is not an option. The canal suffers from pollution, a dearth of green spaces poses health risks, and limited job opportunities hinder household incomes. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive strategy that balances economic development with fairness for all residents.
My proposal centers on the concept of a co-produced city—a model where informal settlement residents, formal city dwellers, and even tourists collaborate equally in shaping urban life. By jointly managing essential services such as water and transportation systems, the plan aims to integrate diverse modes of travel and merge formal and informal economies. This collaborative approach envisions public spaces that nurture both community interaction and economic vitality, ensuring that progress benefits everyone.
In essence, the co-produced city model for Khlong Toei seeks to transform the area into a resilient, inclusive urban ecosystem, preserving its unique character while paving the way for sustainable development.
Affordable Housing
Area: 294,000 m²
Floor Area Ratio: 6
Total Floor Area: 1,764,000 m²
Utilization Rate: 85%
Net Usable Area: 1,499,400 m²
Area Per Person: 18 m²
Population: 83,300
Shophouse
Area: 97,000 m²
Floor Area Ratio: 4
Total Floor Area: 388,000 m²
Utilization Rate: 65%
Net Usable Area: 252,200 m²
Area Per Person: 18 m²
Population: 14,000
Open Space
Area: 1,631,000 m²
Street Area: 516,000 m²
Green Space Area: 1,115,000 m²
Area Per Person: 12 m²
Suggested Area: 984,064 m²
Market-Rate Housing
Area: 181,000 m²
Floor Area Ratio: 10
Total Floor Area: 1,810,000 m²
Utilization Rate: 65%
Net Usable Area: 1,176,500 m²
Area Per Person: 32 m²
Population: 36,800
Infrastructure
Area: 121,000 m²
Floor Area Ratio: 3
Total Floor Area: 363,000 m²
Suggested Area: 252,300 m²
High-Density Commercial
Area: 93,000 m²
Floor Area Ratio: 4
Total Floor Area: 372,000 m²
Office
Area: 143,000 m²
Floor Area Ratio: 16
Total Floor Area: 2,288,000 m²
Utilization Rate: 75%
Net Usable Area: 1,716,000 m²
Area Per Person: 12 m²
Jobs Provided: 143,000
Total
Area: 2,560,000 m²
Population: 134,000