The Bang Bua Canal regeneration project in Bangkok, Thailand upgraded housing and infrastructure for residents living along the polluted canal. Over 3,400 families were provided with new or renovated housing built from recycled materials. The canal was cleaned up through installed septic tanks and kitchen grease filters to treat wastewater. A walking path was constructed along the canal and residents no longer feared eviction.

1. Bang Bua Canal [ Before]

4. Location of Bang Bua in Bangkok

5. Why is there a Canal in Bangkok ? Bangkok was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It came to the forefront of Thailand when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam, the now called Thailand. The canals in Bangkok were vital to it’s economy - especially in it’s past when trade was the key to success and water transportaion was the most efficient mode of transporting goods and people around. Fundamentally, Bangkok became the capital city partially due to it’s strong nodal point characteristics. ( CLOSE TO SEA = EASY TRADING/TRANSPORT ) Ayutthaya, 1700’s Bangkok, 2009 =>

10. Bang Bua Canal [ The Regeneration ]

25. Bang Bua Canal [ After]