An Initiative Approach To Create A Common Intention On Urban Planning To Minimize Impact Due to The Formation Of A University: A Case Study Of Khao Thong Sub-district, Nakhon Sawan Province

Abstract

In this study, the researcher choose the campus of the Mahidol University, at Khao Thong Sub district (Nakhon Sawan Province), as a case study area in exploring approaches that will bring about a common intension among villagers and local authorities in initiating a process of urban planning. The research was conducted during the time when the campus was newly established, with the aim to control and prevent problems that may occur due to the development around the university’s campus. Under a core principle that urban planning should be a bottom-up approach. The researcher believes that urban planning should be through a process of establishing shared future vision together of all local stakeholders, which should be prioritized and established in the first step as though it is a local constitution. Until then, the approach will bring about a framework of rules that will be guidance for taking an action in the future. 

            To create such common vision, the researcher designed a learning process based on 2 models of scenarios of the future: 1) the future community of Khao Thong Sub district if development without any control, in order to raise awareness on the upcoming changes and to find conclusion of their common future that they want to share ; 2) the future community of Khao Thong Sub district if development under a framework of rules according to urban planning, in order to show to the villagers and local authorities of how urban planning can be used as a tool to control their own future. Hence, the researcher found that the approach and the use of stimulation pictures as a research tool were able to influence the participants from all stake holders’ attitude towards the upcoming development. Moreover, the participants can identify their common vision of their future together and be aware that urban planning will help prevent problems and eventually enabled the community to take control of their own future.