Nakhara : Journal of Environmental Design and Planning

A Framework for Ordinary Urban Heritage Mapmaking: The Case of Trok in Rattanakosin, Bangkok’s Historic Center

Prin Jhearmaneechotechai — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research offers an alternative mapmaking framework for Ordinary Urban Heritage (OUH), specifically applied to the Trok (local alleys) of Bangkok's Rattanakosin district. Departing from conventional approaches that might map Trok solely as pedestrian urban patterns, this framework uniquely explores Trok as dynamic urban spaces that enable the manifestation of diverse everyday heritages, including temporary commercial activities, people’s way of living, and sacred spaces, thereby revealing a richer understanding of OUH. The framework's development is grounded in the analysis of existing mapping practices, historical maps, and non-participatory surveys, incorporating five key OUH selection criteria sensitive to these dynamic manifestations: (1) time duration, (2) ordinary people's heritage, (3) everyday heritage cluster formation, (4) heritage adaptation from the urban context, and (5) the existence of heritage in the present day. By integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches and employing thematic, pictorial, and statistical maps, the research demonstrates the potential to represent these multifaceted characteristics of OUH within Trok. Furthermore, the introduction of virtual and digital maps is crucial for capturing the temporal and spatial fluidity of these everyday heritages as they unfold within the Trok. Ultimately, this research contributes an alternative perspective to cultural mapping by providing a framework that moves beyond static representations of urban form to capture the dynamic and context-specific ways in which ordinary urban spaces like Trok become the stage for the continuous enactment of everyday heritages.

Balancing Authenticity and Adaptive Reuse: Resident-Centric Conservation Strategies for Huizhou Traditional Dwellings

Weiyi Zhang, Nooriati Taib, Mariati Taib — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Amid rapid urbanization and modernization, traditional Huizhou dwellings face significant challenges in balancing the preservation of architectural authenticity with the practical needs of adaptive reuse. This study investigates the tensions between maintaining cultural and structural integrity and meeting evolving lifestyle and functional demands. Adopting a resident-centered perspective, the research employs a quantitative survey method, collecting 390 valid responses from two UNESCO-listed villages. A structural equation model (SEM) is used to examine the influence of conservation status, government policy, value recognition, and authenticity on residents’ perceptions of adaptive reuse. While findings indicate strong resident support for preserving traditional architectural styles and cultural identity, concerns persist about compromised comfort, outdated spatial layouts, and limitations in daily functionality. These tensions illustrate a core challenge: how to sustain authenticity without obstructing modernization. The study contributes a validated analytical framework for heritage decision-making and offers practical insights for optimizing conservation strategies through policy support, stakeholder collaboration, and selective modernization.

The Sociopolitical Manifestation of Built Environment in Rural Thailand: Holistic Development for an Aging Society?

Sirima Thongsawang, Ampa Kaewkumkong — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Changes in demographic structures in an aging society have diminished farming employment and incomes of old residents of Talat Mai subdistrict, Angthong Province, Thailand. Under decentralization, the local government assumes primary development responsibility in managing the basic needs of citizens. This case study demonstrates how the local government uses the built environment—Wiset Chai Chan Historical Park Royalty Monument —as an instrument for community development to enhance life quality for old residents. This study examines ways in which the park's construction as a built environment are shaped and consequences due to community development as an aging society. Data was gathered by participatory action research (PAR), including in-depth interviews, participant observation, and artifacts. Local government representatives, geriatric residents, and subdistrict stakeholders were involved. The constructivism paradigm was used to analyze the local government's justifications for the park's construction, and the pathways model examines the park's impacts on community development and the aging society. Results are that the park construction as a landmark craft is mainly a sociopolitical construction, because of local government monarchist motivations and war legends to revive power symbols intertwined with memory politics. This research suggests potential improvements for the wellbeing of old citizens, community involvement, and economic growth.

Dynamics of Landscape Transformation and Governance of Bangkok’s Urban Waterways

Wanida Numsuk — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This paper critically examines the shortcomings of traditional Thai institutions in urban governance focusing on Bangkok Urban Waterways (BUW) conceptualised as dynamic and essential landscape elements. Framing BUW through the lens of ‘landscape governance’, the paper explores how institutional practices and management actions have led to erosion of cultural heritage, ineffective flood control, and the marginalisation of local communities. The research asks: To what extent does the governance of BUW contribute to these changing landscapes? To do this, the paper draws on extensive qualitative fieldwork, including interviews with government agencies, experts, practitioners, NGOs, and in-depth fieldwork with residents. The findings reveal that the governance structures surrounding BUW have largely generated unintended consequences rather than achieving their intended goals. The paper examines governance failure and identifies significant obstacles to effective management, highlighting the futility of enforcing rigid boundaries between land and waterways in this complex urban landscape. The discussion advocates for a collaborative approach to urban landscape management by proposing it as a means to transcend the limitations of conservative institutions and addressing the challenges facing coastal cities in Southeast Asia.

Sustainable Construction Using Aragonite Sand from Mussel Shell Biowaste: Enhancing Building Material Development

Runda Aduldejcharas — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study investigates the feasibility of using aragonite sand made from Perna viridis mussel shells as a sustainable substitute for natural sand in building materials. Growing demand for natural sand has resulted in serious environmental issues, such as habitat destruction, resource depletion, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions, driven by fast urbanization and infrastructural expansion. The goal of this project is to encourage sustainable building methods, lessen environmental deterioration, and alleviate sand scarcity by turning mussel shell biowaste into aragonite sand.

X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were among the chemical and microstructural tests used to verify the shells' composition and crystalline structure. The material's mechanical fitness for use in building was demonstrated by these tests, which confirmed a high calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content and the presence of an aragonite phase. Samples of mortar were made with different percentages of aragonite to natural sand replacement (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), and after 7, 14, and 28 days of water curing, their compressive strengths were measured.

A replacement ratio of 25% was found to have the greatest and most stable compressive strength during all curing times, satisfying load-bearing construction requirements. Even if their strength declined, higher replacement ratios might still be used in decorative or non-load-bearing applications.

This study provides a workable answer to waste management and raw material shortages by confirming that aragonite sand can be used as a partial substitute for natural sand. Additionally, by encouraging responsible consumption, environmental preservation, and resilient urban growth, this strategy supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results open the door for creative and sustainable building solutions by converting biowaste into useful building materials that benefit the circular economy.