Background
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Dates: 2000 - 2002
Partners: Bangkapi and Bangkok Noi Neighbourhoods; Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) ; Thailand Environment Institute (TEI)
Key Issues: Urban Greening, Capacity Building
Funders: Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Description
ICSC worked with communities and the local government to rehabilitate two areas in downtown Bangkok
with plants and trees. The partner for the project was the Thailand Environment Institute, the largest environmental NGO in Thailand. Community residents were engaged in developing their own ‘green plan’ for their neighbourhood, and then cleaned up derelict areas and planted vegetables, herbs and flowers. They improved their own nutrition, saved money on buying food and grew sufficient to sell or share with others in the community. Due to its success, the project was expanded to 6 other communities and eventually incorporated into the regular programs of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area (BMA). The project improved the physical environment of the neighbourhoods, as well as empowered local residents through stakeholder engagement processes. As one participant, a resident of Bangkok Noi, said "the most important aspect of this project was building power in the community". By the end of the project, the BMA had allocated funds to 50 districts for their own urban greening program. In 2003, the BMA integrated an urban greening strategy in its Community Education Planning Department and in the Department of Parks
Final Reports/Publications
Visit the legacy Bangkok Urban Greening website for the full story of the Bangkok Urban Greening Project, including the final report, photos, and a guide and resources for communities developing an urban greening plan (link in right sidebar).
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