Landscape Architecture Journal

Persistence and Change of Lanna Vernacular Landscape: Case Studies of Agricultural Community in Mueang Khong Basin, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This research article aims to study the characteristics of the vernacular landscape of the agricultural communities in the Mueang Khong Basin, to find factors related to the persistence and change of the vernacular landscape, and to propose recommendations to support vernacular landscape conservation and management. This work was field research using the ecological and landscape survey and the unstructured interview as a tool for data collection. The sample group was four agricultural communities, eight case houses, and twenty key informants. The researcher uses physical data analysis and data from interviews, presenting data through description, map, and figure. The results showed a blend of traditional and modern vernacular landscapes of the agricultural communities that settled in this area. First, factors related to the persistence of vernacular landscapes include community participation and cultural pride, preservation and restoration of the community's cultural heritage, adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, supporting policies and plans to promote and preserve environmental quality, transfer of local knowledge, and community-based tourism. Second, factors associated with the change in the vernacular landscape include urban and community infrastructure development, modernization and technological advancement, socio-economic changes, cultural and global influences, environmental challenges, climate change, related policies and regulations, and population change and migration. Finally, suggestions to support the conservation and management of Lanna vernacular landscapes include promoting community participation, education, and raising awareness in Lanna vernacular landscape conservation and management, capacity building to the local community, promoting stakeholder collaboration, developing policies and guidelines, sustainable tourism, promoting ongoing research and monitoring of the Lanna vernacular landscape, and supporting the development of a database and documentation on with Lanna vernacular landscape.

Visual Impacts and the Preferences of Physical Characteristics of Tourism Development for Natural Landscape: A Case Study of Sri Lanna National Park, Chiang Mai Province

Nawaporn Thanasarn, Kattika Kittiprasan — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This paper investigates the physical characteristics of the built environment for tourism development in Sri Lanna National Park and its surroundings, including Amphoe Phrao, Amphoe Mae Taeng, and Amphoe Chiang Dao in Chiangmai Province, and studies the visual impact on the aesthetic value of Sri Lanna National Park that is related to tourist activities. Five mixed methods were applied in this paper, including a literature review, survey, photo representation, simulation of tourism development, and questionnaire. The result of the study shows that there are four landscape types in the study area, including 1) the flat plain, 2) the highland, 3) large waterscape and dam, and 4) conserved natural area, which has different levels of visual impacts depended on the landforms, vegetation cover, and built environment. The architectural styles of the built environment can be grouped with four characteristics. They are 1) traditional architectural style, 2) modern architectural style, 3) contemporary architectural style, and 4) foreign architectural style. The study investigated the preferences and acceptance of these styles with a visual-aid questionnaire. The result shows that the preferred and accepted characters for the built environment vary in architectural styles, shapes (especially the height), and colors according to the related landscape types. Moreover, this study found that certain personal factors influencing the preferable and acceptable physical characteristics of the built environment for tourism development were age, occupation, and education. This research concludes with a suggestion for further study that brings together the existing development on site, the general preferences as found in this research, and the experts’ suggestions on landscape study into consideration.

Research-based Public Park Design for Disabled People: A Case Study of Aquatic Center Area, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Public parks are essential urban elements for inclusively promoting physical and mental health to all residents. However, there is inadequate support for people with disabilities in thoroughly using public parks. This research has the main objective to study the character and behavior of using public parks by disabled and related people in order to develop public park design guidelines for disabled people. Primary data was collected through Semi-Structured Interviews with 27 people, including people with disabilities, officers, and caretakers. The 11 coded keyworks can classified into two themes, which are 1) Public Park Use Experience and 2) Arrangement, Requirement, and Recommendation for Spatial Use. Each theme consists of a set of subject matters, which leads to the notion of public park design guidelines for disabled people: “Finding Unity Through Difference.” The idea of this conceptual design is to encourage the inclusiveness of multiple identities and personalities through 8 design guidelines which are 1) Spatial arrangement design, 2) Connectivity Design, 3) Physical Activity Area Design, 4) Relaxation Area Design, 5) Fine Arts Design, 6) Physical Health Promotion Design, 7) Mental Health Promotion Design, and 8) Inclusiveness Promotion Design.

Master Planning and Landscape Architectural Design for Rajkarun Center Thai Red Cross Society, Khao Lan, Trat Province

Pavinee Inchompoo, Suebsiri Srithanyarat, Ying Palopakon, Onumpai Samkhuntod — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Rajkarun Center, Thai Red Cross Society, Khao Lan, Trat Province, was initially a refugee camp for Cambodian refugees. Later on, it was a recreational and historical learning site for the general public. Recently, in 2021, the Thai Red Cross Society plans to establish the 15th Red Cross Station in Rajkarun Center. Therefore, it is necessary to review and improve the master plan to achieve the goal of developing Rajkarun Center to be an area for preservation and historical learning, youth training camp, and natural learning, recreational place for the general public, and additional area for public health services. The operational process consists of studying documents for relevant information and reviewing the original master plan, interviewing stakeholders to attain the needs of the agency, conducting field surveys to study the area conditions and usage, and summarizing problems and limitations. The data analysis leads to conceptual and schematic design as well as the design and layout of the suitable master plan, which consists of land use zoning, circulation system, space system, and landscape architectural detail design in certain areas. This master plan will provide the Thai Red Cross Society with a clear physical development plan for effectively managing the area of Rajkarun Center in the future.

Museum Site Selection: Case Study of the National Exhibition of Art Museum

Lassamon Maitreemit — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

This article investigated the process of site selection in museum design under the project to define the Competition Conditions for the National Exhibition of Art Museum to Celebrate Bangkok’s 250th Anniversary. The study reviewed related literature on the relationship between museums and sites to understand the characteristics of museums in different locations and the criteria for museum site selection. The information was used for the site selection process of the National Exhibition of Art Museum project. The study found that the site has incredible influences on the characteristics and functions of a museum. Accordingly, the museum site selection process must be addressed in two levels. The first level is to define the museum’s characteristics regarding its location. This macro-scale selection considers
the concept, the related policies, and the goals of the museum. The second level is the micro-scale site selection linked to the concerns in museology and museum landscape design. The social, economic, and environmental conditions must be equally taken into consideration. The findings of this study will be presented in the Guidelines for Writing Architectural Competition Term of Reference (TOR) for Thai Government Projects.

A Study of the Relationship Between Soil Cover Characteristics and Water Quality in the Area of Pong Yaeng Nai Village, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai

Rungpansa Noichan, Yuppared Sittipong, Paworn Maneesatit, Ronawee Suwantamalee — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Pong Yaeng Nai Village has been continuously expanding in tourism and agriculture. Some portions of the forested areas have been converted into farmland, mainly for single-crop cultivation. The expension has resulted in a loss of biodiversity and directly impacted on the quantity and quality of water in this area. Furthermore, the village’s terrain comprises limestone hills and steep slopes, leading to the mixing of limestone and heavy metals in local water sources. Consequently, water quality in the area is closely tied to the land cover characteristics in the upstream and watershed areas. Therefore, the objective of this research is to categorize land cover in various parts of the region and investigate the relationship between land cover characteristics and water quality. The ultimate goal is to identify ways to improve the area through integrated approaches, considering landscape architecture and water quality enhancement.

A Study of Facilities for Tourists with Disabilities on the Value of the Inner Rattanakosin Old Town

Vipakorn Thumwimol, Atikarn Bamroonngvuth — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Rattanakosin plays is a cultural tourist attraction and an old town that required protection and preservation. Due to the current preparation to accommodate tourists with disabilities, the construction of convenient facilities for disabled tourists without thorough may result in physical changes that diminish the value of historical sites and the identity of the ancient city. Thus,
this research aims to study the impact of accessibility service facilities for tourists with disabilities on the value of Inner Rattanakosin historical sites. It also seeks to identify appropriate approaches to managing accessibility facilities forindividuals with disabilities in this conservation area. The study conducted surveys and collected data on disabled-accessible facilities, then assessed their impact on historic sites. The criteria used for evaluation are derived from the "Knowledge set on Conservation, Development, and Management of Old Town" by the Committee for the Conservation and Development of Rattanakosin Island and Old Cities.

The research findings demonstrate that the facilities catering to disabled tourists significantly impact the value of a historic place. Moreover, such facilities have a profound influence on the integrity
and authenticity of the place, as well as its identity. The negative impacts on historical areas often result from improper placement and the selection of facilities without thorough design processes. Therefore, to minimize the impacts of constructing new facilities for disabled tourists in heritage areas, it is necessary to conduct site-specific designs that analyze the value of the place and consider the quantity, placement, and format of the new facilities. These designs should 1) preserve the archaeological and historical value, the artistic value, and the aesthetic values, 2) maintain the integrity and authenticity of the site; and 3) conserve the unique identity of the place.

Finally, we hope that the results of this research will be beneficial for conservation studies and disability groups studies. The findings will contribute to the development of conservation and management plans for Rattanakosin to accommodate disabled tourists appropriately and to enhance the design of facilities for individuals with disabilities in heritage sites, historical landscapes, and old towns in the future.

Effects of Building a Levee on the Vernacular Landscape along the Mekong River: A Case Study of Tha Uthen Community, Tha Uthen District, Nakhon Phanom Province

Kowit Wapeesilp, Songbhop Mekkapan-opas, Supachoke Martmuang — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

The objectives of this research were to 1) study the elements of the vernacular landscape along the Mekong River, Tha Uthen Community, and 2) study the effects of building a levee on the Mekong River on the vernacular landscape along the Mekong River, Tha Uthen Community. Research tools werean in-depth (unstructured) in terview, participant observation, and focus group. The research found that the Tha Uthen community had five elements of the vernacular landscape along the Mekong River, including 1) the Mekong River, 2) the riverbanks of the Mekong River, 3) trees, 4) buildings and structures along the riverbanks of the Mekong River 5) humans. There were four effects of building a levee on the vernacular landscape along the Mekong River, including 1) loss of agricultural land along the Mekong River, which was the important vernacular landscape along the Mekong River; 2) food security in communities was reduced; especially agricultural products; 3) traditional way of life of communities related to the Mekong River had changed; 4) elements of the vernacular landscape along the Mekong River were destroyed and might loss in the near future.

Hydrologic Processes and Local Livelihood Study with Landscape Ecology Framework in Rural Agricultural Communities in Tambon Bang Toei, Muang Phang Nga, Phang Nga

Onkamon Nilanon, Attana Vasuwattana, Nakrob Saithep — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700

Landscape Ecology is fundamental to studying the hydrological processes of agricultural communities in rural areas. Communities in rural areas depend on natural processes and products. The study method uses the landscape ecology concept to analyze the study area. The landscape's structures, functions, and changes must be described with the primary and secondary data. Hydrological processes are the main functions that define ecosystem services the landscape provides. The study area is a coastal community adjacent to Phang Nga Bay. The results revealed that this area is influenced by precipitation and tidal, which are conditions of the community's way of life. The effect of unsuitable development will cause uncertain life and deteriorate resources. The findings from landscape hydrological processes are used for resource management systems based on landscape ecology concepts and social mechanisms. The suggestions come in two scales. First, resource management in a cluster of villages relates to landscape conditions: valley, coastal, and estuary areas. Second, the watershed scale, which includes all villages in the study area. Our framework will support a self-governance community and maintain landscape processes and community well-being.

Preface

LAJ Editor — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0700