The Urban Image Conservation and Development of Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Old Town Community in Thailand

Abstract

Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town Community dated a thousand years old from four eras of settlement development. The community is located on an ancient beach ridge that stands until the present day. It also has an image of a community that is unique to any city. Today the community is rapidly expanding, so the importance of the old town’s various elements has been diminished. The research objectives are to analyze Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town Community’s image and landscape and provide suggestions to preserve and develop the community’s image. The methodology is theoretical concepts of the image of the city, urban landscape, historic urban landscape, and urban conservation, including field surveys to identify problems and the community’s awareness. Visual assessments and mapping were also undertaken. Based on the study, the urban conceptual framework emphasizes the five elements of physical perception, whereas the cultural landscape concept focuses on the physical perception of the community’s core components and sub-elements that express specificity of the district, including traditional custom, which is intangible culture and a landscape element as well. 

The analysis of urban image reveals that Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town Community consists of the path in the area with Ratchadamnoen Road, Karom Road and Pattanakarn Khukwang Road as the main routes, the edge of the community divided by natural boundaries, which are various rivers and by man-made boundaries, which are canals and the old city’s embankments, and the unique district, such as Tha Wang Community, Khaek Market Community, and Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town. The node or activity center is, for example, business activities in Tha Wang Community, Khaek Market Community and Hua It Market Community, and the tourism activities in the old community area around Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan Temple. The prominent landmark from the past to the present is Phra Borommathat Stupda. In addition, the unique physical elements in the old town are groups of large trees. Suggestions on conservation and development are to create awareness of secondary routes to reduce congestion of the main roads and connect to other attractions; to develop the old town’s border from four eras for clearer perception; to promote the main activities within each district; and to have measures to control the height, billboards, old buildings’ styles, and new buildings representing each district’s uniqueness that will not obscure the perception of the community’s landmarks.