THE WATER CITY
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| COLLAGE IMAGE |
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.
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| PERSPECTIVE IMAGE |
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. Inspired by the water city of Da Vinci,it is also possible to esbalish a system of canals and tunnels undergroud.Revitalizing the canals, which have retained cultural and symbolic significance for the Thai people, also enhances the unique character of Bangkok and provides identity to its residents.
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| MAP-TERRITORY |
Therefore,I choose the Rattanakosin island ,which is used to be the old center ,including chinatown and Chao Phaya ,as the main territory.Not only because of the abundant historical attractions there,but there is also a relatively complete water system undergroud.Hence,I would like to follow the footprint of the canals in the old days, and develop its potential as a main sightseeing route.Besides the original footprint of the old canals,I also plan to insert some new canals into the old city ,according to the landmarks and attractions that I chosed, and establish a new water system,in which I hope to cultivate the new vitality of this acient area. Action might include: improving environmental qualities (especially water quality, being implemented by public water treatment system), developing continuous connecting systems (including waterways, walkways, and streets), and restoring key public spaces along the canals (such as temples, fortifications, markets, and parks).
From another aspect,although the canals’ functions have changed over time, they have always accommodated public space functions.There is potential for the canals to retain their current functions and to adopt new functions.These potentials include: re-opening closed portions of the canals,regaining canal public rights of way by removing encroaching structures, linking streets and canals into a cohesive pedestrian system, and considering alternative means of providing access where necessary, for example, cantilevering walkways from the edge of canal where structures encroach.The canals could continue to be propelling elements in the present time, if they can accommodate new functions, such as more passive public spaces, connectors of key public spaces on Rattanakosin Island, and as tourist destinations and interpretive routes
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