Bangkok is one of the world’s great cities. With a local population of 10.7 million and pre-COVID attracting 20 million-plus tourists annually, it is undoubtedly a bustling metropolis. For those living there, it’s probably no surprise that the city is one of the most congested in the world.
Decades of unconstrained development has also left Bangkok with one of the lowest per capital ratios of public green space among big cities in Asia at 7 sqm per resident and below the 9 sqm minimum recommended by the World Health Organization. By comparison, Singapore has 66 sqm of public green space per citizen.
Change is Happening
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and associated agencies have set in train two key initiatives to address these issues. One is Green Bangkok 2030, which launched at the end of 2019, and aims to increase the number of sustainable, quality green spaces across Bangkok, with these targets:
- increase the ratio of green space in the city to 10 sqm per person;
- have green public spaces that can be reached within 400 meters (a 5-10 minute walk) from people’s residence for at least 50% of Bangkok
- have trees covering 30 per cent of the city’s total area – up from a current 17%,
- ensure footpaths meet international standards
To achieve these targets, abandoned or under-utilised land, plots under bridges, sidewalks, rooftops, and more will be ‘greened’. The BMA’s initiatives also go towards the Thai government’s goals to decrease greenhouse gasses by 20-25% by 2030.
BMA’s other key initiative is Bangkok 250 – a plan to revitalise some of the city’s most legendary locations in time for the capital’s 250th birthday in 2032. There are three significant zones identified: Yothi – Ratchawithi Road near the Victory Monument, along Thonglor – Ekkamai, and Old Bangkok around the Chang, Phrachan and Tha Tien piers. Plans also cover five smaller areas around the BTS Siam, Phaya Thai and Ari transit areas. The BMA has assigned the Urban Design and Development Centre (UDDC) to lead the project to achieve these ambitious plans.
What About Bangkok’s Current Parks?
Bangkok’s current parks are oases in the city, with beautiful trees, gardens, lawns, lakes, monuments and seating areas. Most open from 5 am till 8 pm, including paved walking and jogging paths and outdoor gyms. Some are suitable for cycling with bike rentals, have multi-purpose outdoor courts and host low-cost aerobics, yoga and Tai Chi. A few with larger lakes have paddle boats. They all have a sense of community and belonging, providing a welcome respite.
In central Bangkok is Lumphini Park, one of Bangkok’s largest and oldest parks and described by some as Bangkok’s own Central Park. It sees around 15,000 people visiting daily to run, jog, walk, or just to experience. In recent years Lumphini has been connected to Benchakitti Park with a 1.3 km elevated pedestrian walkway dubbed the Green Mile. Less than 2 km further east is Benchasiri Park, a compact park with a children’s playground and a 25-meter swimming pool with exceptionally inexpensive membership.
Downriver is the peaceful Bang Kachao, a 20 km piece of conservation land in a southern bend of the Chao Phraya River, often labelled as Bangkok’s green lungs. A highly popular bike-riding destination for city residents during weekends.
Located to the city’s north, Rot Fai, Chatuchak, Queen Sirikit Botanic Gardens merge, creating one of Bangkok’s larger parks. Green Bangkok 2030 includes a project to extend this grouping by a further 26 rai. To the west, Suan Luang Rama IX, the most significant green space in Bangkok, features beautiful gardens, recreational facilities and connects to nearby Nong Bon Lake, popular with cyclists.
Green Bangkok 2030 & Bangkok 250 Successes
Projects that have recently come to fruition include Chao Phraya Sky Park, Thailand’s first pedestrian park bridge over a river. It utilises an abandoned rail line and links King Prajadhipok Park on the Bangkok side with three parks on the Thonburi side. Wat Hua Lamphong Rukkhaniwet Park, a ‘pocket park’ and one of four other pilot projects, transformed a donated 1,000 sqm neglected plot into a sustainable green area.
The BMA will add 12 green areas within 2021-2022. Other projects include the renovation of three parks, Piya Phirom Park, Santiphon Park and Wana Phirom Romklao Park. Chong Nonsi Canal is another innovative development with a sculptured walkway incorporated along both sides of a 4.5 km stretch of the canal and is due for completion in August 2022.
Other Notable Initiatives
Chulalongkorn University allocated 28 rai of commercial land worth an estimated 2.3 billion baht for what is now called CU Centenary Park. It features a 5,200 sqm green roof atop a new museum with solar power and a sloping zigzag design that slows rainwater runoff. Opened in 2017, it offers an outstanding recreation area with flood mitigation systems, educational facilities, and 1.3 km of road converted into a walk and cycleway. Integrated storage tanks hold 3,700 cubic meters of water – enough to combat local flooding and irrigate the 44,700 sqm site every day for a month. This park is more “green infrastructure” than just a space for beauty and recreation.
Similarly ambitious, and completed in December 2019, is the highly applauded Thammasat University Rooftop Farm. Asia’s largest at 22,000 sqm incorporates flood control, water and energy conservation and solar power, allowing students and the public to grow organic rice, vegetables and herbs on the university’s roof.
The Big Trees project trains arborists in tree pruning, care, and conservation in collaboration with Thammasat University. Hence, the city’s existing trees receive the care required now and into the future. The Sidewalk Project aims to bring sidewalks to international standards, improving paving, access ramps, path width and removing utility poles and other such obstructions – a massive undertaking.
Last but not least, the new Bangkok’s Forest Park Project is still expanding. The goal is to add a section of greenery to Benchakitti Park, which will double its initial area. It will become the biggest park inside Bangkok and will bring a big bowl of freshness and greenery to the inhabitants of Bangkok. It will totally open in 2022 and one section is already open to public.
Looking to a Greener Future
During pandemic lockdowns, people have found living near a park a bonus, and those looking at the Bangkok property market favour housing near recreational facilities. Developers understand that buyers are seeking quality outdoor space too, and many new developments in Bangkok have integrated tropical gardens and recreational amenities.
Importantly, parks and green spaces are being recognised for the positive impact on people’s health and well-being and the overall influence in making cities more livable and sustainable while helping to achieve long-term climate change goals. The BMA’s greening infrastructure initiatives should build confidence that Bangkok will become a more appealing and healthier city in which to live.
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