The Development of Spatial Organization and Urban Elements in Chiang Mai Old Town.

Abstract

This paper presents the developmental processes of Chiang Mai old town in which the physical characteristics became complex owing to factors that controlled and influenced the spatial organization structure and organization of relationships among various urban elements. The morphological processes in correlation with the structural development and transformation of Chiang Mai city from 1296 until 2018 are discussed based on comparative studies of the principle urban structure, roads, transportation network and all urban elements in each period. The results of the studies indicate the morphological origin and development of Chiang Mai during 5 periods starting from the first period featuring the formation of the city in a near square shape from the lines of the city wall, city moat and each inner-city gate according to the axis coordinate system. In the city, the linear transportation network emerged with the north-south road axis and the east-west road axis as the core parts. The 2nd and 3rd periods featured development of the urban network in line with the division of superblocks, blocks, and the consecutive construction of city gates; community settlement and construction of various religious structures in relation with the spatial layout and urban elements under the condition and influential beliefs. This included the organization of urban elements that were in relation with spiritual and sacred beliefs, spatial layout according to Vastu Mandala, development of religious venues according to the Buddhist Cosmology, and spatial layout according to Thaksa Astrology. The 4th period was the appearance of citadels resulting from previous development, which was under the war condition. Finally, the principle structure disintegrated with the political changes that brought about the development of the official center and incomplete grid network of roads at present.