1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The project aimed to introduce an urban forest park concept that promotes ecological biodiversity in an urban area with minimum maintenance as well as to offer various activities to different groups of people. To realize the urban forest concept, several strategies were planned to be used, including keeping existing trees, planting new trees, constructing wetlands and ponds, and creating eco canals, bioswales and community space for people. (Ref 1,2,3) The specific project objectives include (Ref. 1,2,3) :
1. Creating new green public spaces that hold various values and benefits for all humans and other living organisms in the urban area.
2. Managing surface water and mitigating floods in the area during heavy rain periods.
3. Promoting sustainable construction and design.
4. Supporting agroforestry and providing an opportunity for citizens for farming activities.
5. Creating various opportunities for recreation, social interaction and learning, providing universal access to all visitors.
6. Transforming a former industrial area into an urban park and turning the main buildings into museums.
1. Creating new green public spaces that hold various values and benefits for all humans and other living organisms in the urban area.
2. Managing surface water and mitigating floods in the area during heavy rain periods.
3. Promoting sustainable construction and design.
4. Supporting agroforestry and providing an opportunity for citizens for farming activities.
5. Creating various opportunities for recreation, social interaction and learning, providing universal access to all visitors.
6. Transforming a former industrial area into an urban park and turning the main buildings into museums.
Quantitative targets
1. Planting more than 7,000 new trees. (Ref. 2)
2. Renovating 4 existing buildings that used to be part of the Thai Tobacco Factory due to their architectural value. (Ref. 1)
2. Renovating 4 existing buildings that used to be part of the Thai Tobacco Factory due to their architectural value. (Ref. 1)
Monitoring indicators defined
1. Number of existing trees being conserved.
2. Number of new trees and vegetations being planted and the diversity of native species.
3. The amount of water that can be retained in the area.
(Ref. 1,2,3)
2. Number of new trees and vegetations being planted and the diversity of native species.
3. The amount of water that can be retained in the area.
(Ref. 1,2,3)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The Benchakitti Forest Park can be divided into 3 main parts (Ref. 1,2,3):
Natural areas include:
1. 1,733 existing trees have been saved, which is less than expected. This is due to the condition of the trees that are unhealthy, which links to safety issues.
2. 7,155 new trees and other types of vegetation of more than 300 species, all native to Thailand, have been introduced.
3. 4 constructed wetlands and ponds that can hold up to 128,000 Lb.m. of water. The wetland also helps filter surface runoff and water from nearby canal that has been diverted into the park. The water collected has been used to water the planting within the park. The wetland has been designed with small islands to help improve oxygen levels in the soil, as the soil used in this project mainly comes from the compacted ground under existing buildings.
4. Eco canal and bioswale
5. An agroforest garden for urban farming to produce food for the city people in the canal area
Path for learning, leisure and exercise (Ref. 2):
1. 5.8km. of the natural trails for learning and strolling
2. 2.8km. of running trail
3. 3.4km of bike trail
4 existing buildings were renovated into (Ref. 1,2)
1. Museum
2. Indoor sports facilities
3. Urban farming space serving as an educational area, showcasing over 300 native species
4. Event and multi-purpose space with amphitheatre that can hold up to 15,000 people
Other activities that support the sustainable design and construction goal:
1. With careful management of the cut and fill technique, this project use only existing soil to construct the park (no new soil being introduced and no existing soil being wasted). (Ref. 1)
2. Reuse the brick from the demolition of exiting buildings to construct certain structures such as water system and pathway within the project. (Ref. 2)
Natural areas include:
1. 1,733 existing trees have been saved, which is less than expected. This is due to the condition of the trees that are unhealthy, which links to safety issues.
2. 7,155 new trees and other types of vegetation of more than 300 species, all native to Thailand, have been introduced.
3. 4 constructed wetlands and ponds that can hold up to 128,000 Lb.m. of water. The wetland also helps filter surface runoff and water from nearby canal that has been diverted into the park. The water collected has been used to water the planting within the park. The wetland has been designed with small islands to help improve oxygen levels in the soil, as the soil used in this project mainly comes from the compacted ground under existing buildings.
4. Eco canal and bioswale
5. An agroforest garden for urban farming to produce food for the city people in the canal area
Path for learning, leisure and exercise (Ref. 2):
1. 5.8km. of the natural trails for learning and strolling
2. 2.8km. of running trail
3. 3.4km of bike trail
4 existing buildings were renovated into (Ref. 1,2)
1. Museum
2. Indoor sports facilities
3. Urban farming space serving as an educational area, showcasing over 300 native species
4. Event and multi-purpose space with amphitheatre that can hold up to 15,000 people
Other activities that support the sustainable design and construction goal:
1. With careful management of the cut and fill technique, this project use only existing soil to construct the park (no new soil being introduced and no existing soil being wasted). (Ref. 1)
2. Reuse the brick from the demolition of exiting buildings to construct certain structures such as water system and pathway within the project. (Ref. 2)
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The project has been designed to have 85% forest area and wetlands area resulting in an ecological forest park, a complete and self-sustaining urban forest ecosystem. (Ref 1-4)
To realize the urban forest concept, several strategies were used, including keeping existing trees, planting new trees, constructing wetlands and ponds, and creating eco canals and bioswales. The construction of the wetlands and the ponds supports flood mitigation, and the water collected is used to water the park in the rainy season. (Ref 1,2)
To realize the urban forest concept, several strategies were used, including keeping existing trees, planting new trees, constructing wetlands and ponds, and creating eco canals and bioswales. The construction of the wetlands and the ponds supports flood mitigation, and the water collected is used to water the park in the rainy season. (Ref 1,2)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
"In Thailand, public spaces in the form of forest gardens may be new and unfamiliar, but many places abroad have begun to build green spaces like this, such as the Hongkong wetland park from Hong Kong Floating Garden from China. The London Wetland Center from London all share a similar concept and design approach, aiming to bring the wilderness back into the city increase biodiversity and ecosystems, to create a space that supports humans and nature and create a large green area that returns to benefit all city residents." (Ref 3). The designers of the park adapted the concept to the local climate, the environmental challenges of the area as well as the community needs in the surrounding areas.
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The architectures of the park outlined the transferability of the park concept, but the initiative is not referred to as being transferred: "We hope that this park will be an inspiration for children, the new generation or the general public so that it can lead to other parks in the future, where the benefits of the city's green space will bring to the quality of life of people". (Ref 2)
