Yappofloyd
14-01-08, 03:12 PM
Good to see at least one city in Thailand attempt to implement a proper planning framework. Something which hopefully be followed, built upon, reviewed and improved in the coming years.
PRUNING THE NORTHERN ROSE Zoning plan causing some controversy in Thailand's second largest city
Story and photos by CHEEWIN SATTHA Bkk Post 12/01/08
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg75/yappofloyd/121108_news01.gif
The city's first fully-comprehensive zoning plan is splitting the country's second largest metro-polis and opponents are up in arms against the blueprint they say will be a "birth control pill" for the housing sector with many nasty side effects. The future of urban planning for Chiang Mai, also known as the "Rose of the North", now rests with the draft zoning plan, which is the first of its kind in the province, conceived with the vision of re-defining the layout of the city.
The plan promises to restore Chiang Mai's old-world charm and to help turn the province into an economic engine to accommodate the growth of the Greater Mekong Sub-region. But businesses have pointed to potential flaws in the plan prepared by Chiang Mai's public works and town planning office. They claim the plan has placed too much emphasis on conservation by designating areas around the ring roads as "green zones".
By definition, the areas will be reserved as the lungs of the city which are off-limits to commercial or industrial developments. Residential housing in the green zones is allowed but buildings in these areas must not be higher than 12 metres. However, the buildings can be no higher than nine metres if they are located within a 100-metre radius of a temple, and the city has many temples. There are 247 temples in Chiang Mai, according to town planning officials.
"My fear is that this plan is going to divide society," said Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce chairman Narong Tananuwat. "I expect the issue will eventually end up in court." Mr Narong said local businesses were not consulted about the plan. They feel the residential and commercial areas must be given room to expand because the city keeps growing. The plan appears to have lost sight with reality, he said.
A study conducted by Chiang Mai University expects the need for housing estates to rise from 345,552 units in 1990 to 401,996 units in 2015. The controversial plan would exacerbate the housing shortage, according to the Chiang Mai-Lamphun association of real estate agents. The Chiang Mai Federations of Thai Industry is also concerned the plan may ban the use of 429 square kilometres of land in seven districts for industrial purposes. The districts in question are San Sai, San Kamphaeng, Doi Saket, Saraphi, Hang Dong, Muang and Mae Rim. "It's like a birth control pill for everything. We won't be able to continue economic development," Mr Narong said.
If residents and businesses cannot relocate to suburban areas, they will be forced to stay within the inner city. Land prices in central Chiang Mai will skyrocket and traffic will be even worse, he said. The centre of Chiang Mai is notorious for traffic congestion and air pollution as more new cars hit the roads, while public transport is insufficient, say many locals.
Supporters of the plan, however, argue that it is time the city, which has grown without any real planning or system, was put in order. Many scholars and academics hope the plan will draw a clearer line separating the old quarters of the city and result in a better design for its cultural preservation policy. Opponents have been given 90 days of the plan being put into effect to lodge any petitions against it.
The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, business groups and some communities are reportedly seeking to review the plan. They insist the plan must not be implemented at the expense of economic progress. Mr Narong, however, said that all sides should come together to resolve any contentious issues. "Thailand is beset by too many conflicts already. It doesn't help adding to the social divisions," he said.
PRUNING THE NORTHERN ROSE Zoning plan causing some controversy in Thailand's second largest city
Story and photos by CHEEWIN SATTHA Bkk Post 12/01/08
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg75/yappofloyd/121108_news01.gif
The city's first fully-comprehensive zoning plan is splitting the country's second largest metro-polis and opponents are up in arms against the blueprint they say will be a "birth control pill" for the housing sector with many nasty side effects. The future of urban planning for Chiang Mai, also known as the "Rose of the North", now rests with the draft zoning plan, which is the first of its kind in the province, conceived with the vision of re-defining the layout of the city.
The plan promises to restore Chiang Mai's old-world charm and to help turn the province into an economic engine to accommodate the growth of the Greater Mekong Sub-region. But businesses have pointed to potential flaws in the plan prepared by Chiang Mai's public works and town planning office. They claim the plan has placed too much emphasis on conservation by designating areas around the ring roads as "green zones".
By definition, the areas will be reserved as the lungs of the city which are off-limits to commercial or industrial developments. Residential housing in the green zones is allowed but buildings in these areas must not be higher than 12 metres. However, the buildings can be no higher than nine metres if they are located within a 100-metre radius of a temple, and the city has many temples. There are 247 temples in Chiang Mai, according to town planning officials.
"My fear is that this plan is going to divide society," said Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce chairman Narong Tananuwat. "I expect the issue will eventually end up in court." Mr Narong said local businesses were not consulted about the plan. They feel the residential and commercial areas must be given room to expand because the city keeps growing. The plan appears to have lost sight with reality, he said.
A study conducted by Chiang Mai University expects the need for housing estates to rise from 345,552 units in 1990 to 401,996 units in 2015. The controversial plan would exacerbate the housing shortage, according to the Chiang Mai-Lamphun association of real estate agents. The Chiang Mai Federations of Thai Industry is also concerned the plan may ban the use of 429 square kilometres of land in seven districts for industrial purposes. The districts in question are San Sai, San Kamphaeng, Doi Saket, Saraphi, Hang Dong, Muang and Mae Rim. "It's like a birth control pill for everything. We won't be able to continue economic development," Mr Narong said.
If residents and businesses cannot relocate to suburban areas, they will be forced to stay within the inner city. Land prices in central Chiang Mai will skyrocket and traffic will be even worse, he said. The centre of Chiang Mai is notorious for traffic congestion and air pollution as more new cars hit the roads, while public transport is insufficient, say many locals.
Supporters of the plan, however, argue that it is time the city, which has grown without any real planning or system, was put in order. Many scholars and academics hope the plan will draw a clearer line separating the old quarters of the city and result in a better design for its cultural preservation policy. Opponents have been given 90 days of the plan being put into effect to lodge any petitions against it.
The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, business groups and some communities are reportedly seeking to review the plan. They insist the plan must not be implemented at the expense of economic progress. Mr Narong, however, said that all sides should come together to resolve any contentious issues. "Thailand is beset by too many conflicts already. It doesn't help adding to the social divisions," he said.