Spatial Form and Urban Elements Development of Changklan Road, Chiang Mai

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explain the development processes on Changklan Road’s
spatial forming and urban elements since 1796 through a study of the maps of each period, and
to determine the causes of influences on the development of roads and urban elements from the
settlement of the British, Burmese, Indian, Yunnan Chinese and Thai people until the place became

Chiangmai’s famous tourism spot and a night trading venue for souvenir shopping. The long and
closely packed usage of spaces which are superimposed onto the area during each era formed a
multiple townscape elements, specifically typical of Changklan Road, that are composed of: Buddhist
monasteries, a mosque, hotels, shopping malls, shophouses, schools, markets and houses. The
various patterns of trade ranging from large department stores to small street stalls also generated a unique pattern of space usage and townscape. The study of stalls’ special spatial use led to
explanation of space forming, urban development and relationship between urban components
on both sides of the road. The outcomes remaining at present still shows some traces of the past
through the usage of space, road structures and the configuration of land plots. However, the current
development of Changklan Road has declined by new business districts and walking streets. These
businesses typically run on small land plots. Thus, the developmental model of Changklan Road
in the future is likely to take place on large scale land plots which is a strong advantage of the road.