City-Level Decoupling-Case Studies

condominium projects in the inner areas of the city. Property developers used to promote their projects by stating how close they were to expressways; now they boast the proximity to transit stations.

The paradigms and underlying assumptions for urban planning

and control in Bangkok have also changed. Before the BTS, all Bangkok Comprehensive Plans were based on the idea of an automobile-based city. The two recent Comprehensive Plans have focused more on transit-oriented development, providing additional incentives for development close to transit stations. The obvious shift to rail-oriented development does not mean that Bangkok’s streets are no longer congested. According to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, approximately 1500 cars and 1100 motorcycles are still added to the streets of Bangkok each day. Nonetheless, the transit systems provide people with modal options that they did not have before. They also create more options in terms of where to live, as an increasing number of urban redevelopment projects increase residential space in central areas of the city where jobs are concentrated. The shift from automobile-dominant infrastructure development to a rail-based system can be attributed to several factors. Ironically, one factor is the level of congestion which became so bad that people were ready to embrace any reasonable alternatives to improve their commute. The benefits of a rail-based transportation system have also become apparent as fuel costs and energy concerns are on the rise, thereby providing an attractive alternative to private cars. Changes in population structure may also contribute partly to the shift. As young professionals delay marriage and have fewer children, they are willing to live in smaller condominium units in the city, instead of buying new houses in the suburbs and having to buy cars. The success of the BTS has made it a showcase that has helped to build support from the public and policymakers for building up the subsequent systems. Another reason for the increasing popularity of rail is that it has become extremely difficult and expensive for the state to expropriate land from private land owners to build expressways in the city. Several public demonstrations in the 1990s were successful in preventing construction of highway projects. Mass rail projects involve less land expropriation, making it an easier and attractive choice for policymakers. The shift in mindset of policy makers is critical, as it now seems that mass transits are more manageable, feasible and sustainable. It is no longer fashionable to argue for highways. Although Bangkok’s gradual shift to mass transit is a welcome phenomenon, considerable room remains to improve the sustainability of the city’s public transport system. Mass rail transit remains 'class transit', as the fares are expensive compared to buses and only the middle class can afford to Bangkok Subway (MRT) (Source: author, Apiwat Ratanawaraha 2011)

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