Global aerotropolis versus local aqua-community: conflicting landscapes in the extended Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand

Abstract

Samutprakan province, located in the alluvial flood plain that once formed part of the pre-existing mangrove forests of the lower Chao Phraya River, has been affected by rapid urbanization from Bangkok since the 1980s, which has had significant impacts upon the hydrological system. Today, Samutprakan could be further transformed by the discourse of global city branding through the initiative of the Suvarnabhumi Aerotropolis. We conducted a time-series analysis of aerial photographs of the Bang Pli and Bang Pla districts of Samutprakan province to investigate how the landscape has been changed over time and the results indicate that the intensified industrial and higher density residential developments exacerbated the deteriorating ecological conditions of the waterway. Despite the proposal of an environmentally friendlier alternative of aquatic modern living, the strong tendency is that traditional aquatic cultural livelihoods and urban agriculture are being displaced and gentrified by the new town development.

Landscape Change Analysis: Ecosystem Services in the Peri-urban Agriculture of Bangkok

“…The new form of planning for new urban expansion should be based on the ecosystem characteristics (Mc Gee & Shaharudin, 2016). The concept of aquatic culture and urban agriculture were suggested with the new form of urban development in Samut Prakarn (Nasongkhla & Sintushigha, 2010). With the new perspective and alternative way of development, an adaptive planning model considering the ecological function of the existing landscape is setting the new norm for design and living with the uncertainties of the future.…”

“…The urbanization pattern changes lead to environmental problems especially on water systems, including localized flooding (Limthongsakul et al, 2017) and water pollution (Kritsanaphan & Sajor, 2011). Nasongkhla and Sintushigha (2010) and Mc Gee and Shaharudin (2016) suggested ways to reimagine the new form of urban expansion based on eco-system characteristics. In this case of periurban Bangkok, such reimagining would correspond to the nature of wet landscapes and flat terrains.…”

“…In addition, the new urban development of the fringe experiences localized flooding due to the poor drainage terrain and management (Limthongsakul et al, 2017). New forms of urban design related to this urban expansion should be introduced by considering the ecosystem characteristics of the area (Nasongkhla & Sintushigha, 2010;Mc Gee & Saharudin, 2016;Loc et al, 2020). The study of Anwar & Borne (2005) on change of land-use dynamics between 1981 and 2000 in Nong Chok, located in the western part of Bangkok, defined landscape patterns into five characteristics: i) paddy fields, ii) fish ponds, iii) residences and orchards, iv) waterbodies, and v) other.…”

Fixing a Swamp of Cobras: The Clash between Capital and Water in Shaping Urban Vulnerabilities

“…In contrast, Thailand’s first international airport—Don Muang—was constructed on higher ground (as its Thai name indicates) 1 . Suvarnabhumi is in one of the lowest lying locations in Greater Bangkok (Nasongkhla and Sintusingha 2011); an area that is described as essentially a lake (Jumsai 2006, quoted in Nasongkhla and Sintusingha 2011).…”

“…SIA provides a case study of managerial, technical and engineering solutions for dealing with flood vulnerability (Hewitt 1983; Mustafa 2005; Wisner et al 2004). The location of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Cobra Swamp, described as a “lake … and the worst subsoil conditions” (Jumsai 2006, quoted in Nasongkhla and Sintusingha 2011) depends on the technological and administrative ability to manage drainage of water against its natural flow.…”