DOI: 10.14457/tu.the.2022.581
title: Promotion of 15-minute city framework as an urban design guideline: a case study of Banthat Thong Road, Bangkok, Thailand

description: Banthat Thong, as an upcoming commercial and food district, is currently facing many problems with pedestrian mobility, transportation and traffic congestion even though situated within walking distance of 800 metres to multiple public transportation stations. The low walkability and safety of the footpath pavement not only induce the use of private vehicles but also act as a prominent barrier to developing seamless mobility in the area. The research topic: Promotion of 15-Minute City framework as an urban design guideline: A case study of Banthat Thong road, Bangkok, Thailand, aims to study the concept of the 15-Minute City framework and explore how to apply it practically to the selected site and solve the problem in the neighbourhood of Banthat Thong in Bangkok, Thailand.Four research objectives correspond to three research questions, stating the scope and nature of the research throughout the paper. The first research question, “What are the development criteria a 15-Minute City should consider?” frame the first objective to study the 15-Minute City framework under the urban design context. The second research question, “Can the 15-Minute City framework be used as a design guideline for Banthat Thong?” correspondent with the second objective to study and evaluate Banthat Thong road under the 15-Minute City framework. Finally, the third research question, “How can we develop a 15-Minute City framework as an urban design guideline for Thai city?” will answer with two final objectives to create urban design guidelines from the 15-Minute City framework for Banthat Thong and to propose a redesign for the Banthat Thong road where people can travel in the area seamlessly, safely and conveniently at any time of the day.The research methodology worked with the combination of quantitative and qualitative urban data from preliminary secondary data collection and primary data collected by questionnaires and on-site observation. The literature reviews and the comparative case studies of foreign countries as examples in the application of the framework suggested that the four principle dimensions of the 15-Minute City framework should be in consideration with other two aspects in the physical environment readiness and the people’s behaviour and demand for mobility infrastructure in the area are the development criteria any 15-Minute City should consider.The questionnaire received 170 responses, and the answer to multiple of the questions implies that there is high demand for connected, seamless transportation. According to the top three suggestions for mobility development in the area, 18.3% of the respondents suggested public transportation development, including commuter bus or tram to commute around the area or from BTS/MRT stations, in second place after more organised parking space (public, free or low-price and convenient) of 21.4%. As well as, 20.4% of the respondents desired bicycle/ e-scooter rental as a new service they wanted to see in the area.The incorporated evidence in the integrated analysis of the spatial data demonstrated that Banthat Thong has the potential to develop under a 15-Minute City framework with development priorities of digitalisation, proximity, diversity and density dimensions, respectively, weighing from the current assets and how timely the development in each dimension will be impactful and effective in the current context.The study proposed a localised 15-Minute City framework for urban design in Banthat Thong, which included the development of specific plans in four dimensions and the input of development policy that prioritised mobility planning to encourage active and soft mobility (non-motorised means of transportation in the forms such as walking, cycling, skateboarding, running, and roller skating), enhancing connectivity and transportation choices for space users in Banthat Thong.To look into details, the urban design and policy recommendations applicable to Banthat Thong encompassed promoting adaptive reuse of existing buildings, mixed-use development, transforming form-based codes into hybrid systems with mixed-use zoning, and incentivising smart city initiatives, with financial support and public-private partnership models.As a guideline for implementation, the study recommended an action plan with assigned roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved from private, public, educational, and community sectors. The leading actor in the 15-Minute Banthat Thong project is the Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU). They oversee progress and coordinate with all sectors, including Chulalongkorn University, and private companies offering shared mobility services. Funding support comes from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa) as a smart city accelerator, along with legal support from local government bodies such as the Pathumwan district office and police station.However, the research faced limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered data collection with strict public health measures. Additionally, the contextualised framework designed for Banthat Thong’s unique characteristics may pose challenges to implementing it as a default template in other areas. Adaptation of the concept for strategic planning and design in different neighbourhoods worldwide requires forming and regulating localised principles and criteria according to the context of each area.