Abstract:
This research is a study of the physical characteristics of sois, or side streets, as public open spaces for pedestrians which are important both at the city and community level, and support both traffic and social activities. The research has as its objectives to conduct an analysis to determine the main characteristics of good sois in the central business district of a city and to provide preliminary guidelines for determining the physical elements that should be included in the development and rehabilitation of business areas in central Bangkok in relation to the use of sois as open public spaces for pedestrians. If properly developed, these sois can be convenient short-cut traffic routes providing shade all day long and can open up areas for small social and economic activity as part of the urban fabric of the city. As the enclosed nature of Bangkok is a main contributor to the traffic congestion problem in the city, this should help ease congestion while being in accordance with Bangkoks current urban development policies, which principally focus on the rail mass transit system. In this way, the sois could have a role in dispersing traffic away from rail system stations to surrounding areas efficiently, especially in those high traffic areas such as the city center. This would further help improve the quality of living of urban people. It can be concluded from the research results that there are two main factors present in the best sois in Bangkoks central business district: 1) The major physical elements of good access, buildings with a variety of uses, and sidewalks, particularly those that support commerce and have good shade all day long. There should also be the secondary element of pedestrians perspective and safety. 2) A sois distinguishing characteristics such as specific goods and services available, being in a historical area, or having distinctive architecture.