Canal-Side Communities Development Program

Canal-Side Communities Development Program
Image credit: Asian Coalition for Housing Rights

Summary

Residents of informal canal-side settlements secure housing on long-term collective land leases, bringing strengthened social structures and management systems, and improved flood control and healthier, more beautiful environments.

Target Community

Low-income earners, residents of canal-side informal settlements

Equity Challenge

Many informal settlements exist along the canals of Bangkok, and since automobile became the dominant road of transportations, roads and expressways were built over many of the canals, masking issues of unchecked urbanization and poor planning among this community.

Approach

Communities organized to conduct surveys and mapping, and with architects, design upgraded communities; the central governent allocated a budget to improve housing; community organizations facitliated connections, idea exchanges, and organized inclusive efforts to clean canals; canal-side communities were given the option to sign 30-year renewable leases to secure land tenure.

Scale

Over 100 communities along 3 canals including 1000s of families

Equity building blocks

identify
Recognition + Representation
Canal-side communities organized into committees and conducted their own surveys, mapped their settlements, worked with architects to develop designs and plan their upgraded communities.
strengthen voices
Participation + Power
Residents across the communities organized themselves into committees and took things into their own hands, mapping their settlements and working with architects to develop designs.
share
Fair Resources + Burdens
Homes and canals have been upgraded across these communities. Long-term tenure security was given to these canal- side communities.
analyze barriers
Fair Systems + Structures
The central government issued a policy to improve the housing along the canal and allocated a substantial budget to do this.
plan
Providing for Future Generations
New amenities were introduced by the canals that impacted those of all generations, e.g. kindergarten, welfare centers, etc.

Overview

Region:
Asia
City:
Bangkok
Country:
Thailand
Start Date:
2003
End Date:
present
Leading Organization:
Community Organization’s Development Institute (CODI)
Contact:
Ormmas Rathayaanunt