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Mini-Center Mesh Network: A Growth Strategy for Bangkok’s Fringe
Team 5
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Why a Mini-Center Mesh Network?
• Least disruptive to current soi system in the fringe
• Emphasizes keeping social cohesion intact
• Preserves Thai agricultural traditions while expanding opportunities for modern jobs
• Maintains high quality of life
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Build on Existing Soi System
disruptive development
ideal densification following traditional soi pattern
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Support Networks that Build on Existing Soi System
• Improve and expand Bangkok’s secondary road network
• Road improvement guides Bangkok development
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Support Networks that Build on Existing Soi System
• Expand Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System to connect mini-centers
• Road lanes dedicated for buses offer reliable transportation
• Provides convenient service, bus comes every 5 – 7 minutes
• Natural gas for cleaner transit
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SIG
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Support Networks that Build on Existing Soi System
• Currently 15km of lanes used mostly for tourism
• Expand Bangkok’s bike network along roads to support local fringe transit
• Bike paths within centers minimize road construction and impact
• Integrate bike parking with bus system
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Support Networks that Build on Existing Soi System
• Soi land patterns minimize linear feet of sanitation, water, and electrical lines required
• Expanding utilities in fringe becomes more cost effective
• Collaborate with private sector to manage utility network
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Keep Social Cohesion Intact
• Current soi communities organized around public facilities
• Mini-center central hub expands on existing structure
• Existing community at Bung Nam Ruk
school mosque Soi community
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Keep Social Cohesion Intact
• Build on existing district & sub-district structure; Bangkok’s sub-districts contain super sub-districts
• Mini-centers in fringe organize as super sub-districts
• Stabilizes existing mechanisms for community organization
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Maintain Qualify of Life • Preserve fringe open space and agricultural lands
• Expand amenities in mini-centers, such as public spaces and schools
• Support mini-centers in creating land trusts that protect public lands from speculation
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Support Agriculture and Expand Opportunities for Modern Jobs
• Protect future food security and renew fringe economies rather than disrupt
• Incentives for productive use of farmland
• Limits on building development
• Homes that can accommodate demand for rural tourism
• New housing for urban residents that want bigger homes
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Support Agriculture and Expand Opportunities for Modern Jobs
Build on existing financing mechanisms
• Tax credits encourage business to locate in mini-center hubs
• Small, Medium, Large (SML) projects fund economic development in villages
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Support Agriculture and Expand Opportunities for Modern Jobs
• Use financing mechanisms to encourage unique economic branding in mini-centers and the development of local business
• Examples of mini-center anchors: salt farms, fish farms, cows’ milk production, tech start-ups, or alternative energy ventures
Labor abundance:
Service oriented
Sea advantage:
Salt farm
Land abundance: farming
River & canal:
commerce oriented SIG
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SIG
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Challenges and Risks
• Minimizing land speculation
• Maintaining infrastructure across a large area
• Managing spread of mini-centers
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What next – a city to country exodus
Mini-Center Mesh Network builds on – doesn’t disrupt - the unique organization of Bangkok’s soi and expands the benefits of Bangkok’s fringe to future population. It sustains:
• A social network that roots strong communities • New economic opportunities and food security • High-quality places where people want to stay
Summary