Lumpini Park

Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Maintenance and management of urban nature, Knowledge creation and awareness raising

The initial vision was to provide happiness to the people and to create a beautiful park for the city of Bangkok. The new renovation project of Lumpini Park aims to deliver the same vision and enhance the multiple functions further. There are five main goals that shape the overall design of the new park. (Ref. 2,4,5,6) 1. To keep and emphasize the history of the park. The area holds many history and memories of the people throughout these 100 years. 2. To enhance cultural integration and social interaction through nature, learning activities and art. The park aims to bring people together and at the same time closer to nature. 3. To promote modern recreational activities, through the improvement of existing activity areas and the introduction of new ones to accommodate both existing users and invite new people with new interests. 4. To design a space for everyone. The park’s design offers facilities and elements that accommodate and is safe for all people regardless of their age, functional diversities or other factors. 5. To promote climate action and build a regenerative city through the development and improvement of the green-blue infrastructure of the park - following the so called 'climate action park' framework. Accordingly, the park also aims to enhance urban ecology and biodiversity, foster self-regeneration of nature within the park and promote urban food security. Along with the goals for re-designing the park, this project also aims to renovate and improve all main infrastructure systems of the park to better support the people and the new landscape design. (Ref. 1,2,5)

- Emphasize Lumpini Park's history: 1. Keep the existing alignment of the main road, which is also the main axis of the park, and re-design the whole path then name this road the ‘100 years Lumpini Park’. - Enhance cultural diversity by providing space for different cultures and encourage social interactions through nature, learning activities and art: 1. Building a learning centre for arts and cultural activities. 2. Creation of an outdoor amphitheatre for events and other entertainment activities. 3. Establishment of an outdoor cultural park 4. Creation of a Chinese garden 5. Creation of a canteen or food court 6. Establishment of learning area for urban farming 7. Building of the ‘100 years Lumpini Park building’ which will be a multipurpose indoor space for a variety of activities. 8. Renovation of the ‘green bridge’ that connects Lumpini Park with Benchakiti Park. 9. Establishment of a learning park that raises awareness about environmental issues and urban ecologies such as native plants and other organisms that can be found in the park. This includes the establishment of learning trails in the forest park. 10. Establishment of an area for dogs 11. Creation of a library and garden for reading book 12. Viewing point to overlook the park and surrounding city area - Modern recreation: 1. Provide space for existing activities but with a new design to enhance their function. Examples of existing activities are running, cycling, tai chi, different types of dancing, outdoor fitness, playground and gathering space with tables and chairs. 2. Provide space for new activities such as paddle board, kayak, skate park, extreme sports and sports club. 3. Create pathways and space for recreation along the water edge. 4. Provide facilities that support the users and activities such as better restrooms and secure locker rooms or a storage area. - Design for everyone: 1. Inclusive design (similar to universal design). The detailed design elements for this point is not yet defined but the designer indicates concern towards the elderly, disabled, LGBTQ and homeless groups regarding pathways (safe for the elderly and people with functional diversities), genderless toilet and bench that are safe for the homeless people. - Climate Action and Regenerative City: 1. Resilient park - improve existing ponds and create natural space and canals within the park that can help detain rainwater, increase infiltration, filter and improve surface water quality by using plants before released to nearby canals outside the park's area. This area can help mitigate flood and the water that has been collected can be used to water vegetation within the park, especially during the dry season. 2. Forest park - Check the current health and conditions of all existing trees and plantings and plan strategies for improvement and how new to integrate new planting. Introduce new vegetation by selecting diverse planting types and species, all native to Thailand, which are easy to maintain. This forest area can help support urban ecology, and urban wildlife, enhance biodiversity, mitigate air pollution and reduce local temperature. - In terms of infrastructures and operational systems within the park, there are several actions being planned including: 1. Water management system - build underground water storage that can hole up to 40,000 cubic meters. 2. Lighting and electricity system - move all electrical wires underground and repair all lighting in the park. 3. Renovating all bridges within the park to improve the connection of pathways. 4. Renovating fences around the park together with doors and security buildings. 5. Renovating and redesigning signage within the park. 6. Increase parking space (potentially underground parking). (Ref. 1,2,3,5,6)

• Citizens or community groups