Collective Planning: Putting People At The Center

Summary

Boonyabancha describes the process for engaging stakeholders developed by her team in Thailand, and how collaboration between local government, residents and other community stakeholders has lead to more successful, equitable and sustainable urban development in cities throughout Thailand.

Discussion questions

In what ways is the approach described similar or different from approaches you / your org/ your city have taken in the past?
Is there a current neighborhood, community, or project where you could envision trying this?
What would be potential challenges of this approach in general, or specific to your city?
What would be potential benefits of an approach like this in general, or specific to your city?

Bio

Somsook Boonyabancha, is Chairperson, Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR), a regional network of grassroots community organizations, NGO’s and professionals actively involved with urban poor development processes in Asian cities; former Director of the Community Organization Development Institute (CODI); Chairperson, of the Baan Mankong Program Committee.

Boonyabancha has been working and facilitating sustainable, equitable collective housing development and slum upgrading in Thailand and other Asian countries for 30 years – specializing in community-led initiatives. As director of CODI, she fostered a “city-wide” approach to community upgrading that has been replicated in cities across Thailand. She is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Master Class 1 — Community-Driven Partnerships with Government that Enable Citywide Change