Urbanus: Phrase 2
Low-lying Bangkok, humid and thick in its swampy surrounds, has been carved, drained, protected
and irrigated by canals since the 18th
Century .Known as the “Venice of the East” during much of the 19th Century, the
waterways that still crisscross the Thai capital serve as living cultural and
historical relics. Today, many of the khlongs (canals) have been filled in and
paved over to make room for roads, but a massive network of waterways still
crisscrosses the city. Each day, thousands of commuters travel by motorized
boat on the canals and on the Chao Praya River, which runs through the center
of the city.
Exploring Bangkok’s khlongs is a great way
to get into the thick of this steamy city. Though they are often smelly and
polluted, the true blood vessels of the city serve as living cultural and
historical relics. And with ocean levels rising and Bangkok’s foundation
sinking an average of three inches per year, the canals will no doubt play an
important role in the city’s future.
First dug as moats, waterways in Bangkok
were original for the city protection. Just to imagine there are hundreds of
canals and ditches crossing the city ,most of which are buried in the darkness
,we can find an absolutely different underground world .And when we sit or stand
on the water express to cross the city ,it will also certainly be an
interesting way to explore the city from the bottom.
Therefore，I chose a remaining
canal ,Khlong Saen Saeb, which still works everyday crossing the heart of
nowadays Bangkok, and try to find out the relationship between the canal and
the surrounding territory. There are several intersections with other
transportation systems, including BTS, MRT and highways. Also, it is so close
to the central business area, residential discrict ,traditional clothing market
,temples and so on. Based on its diversity urban context，I tend to
react an interesting way to enjoy this water express .
No comments:
Post a Comment