Abstract:
Silom business district is an area with high population and activity density. The intensity of its diverse usage, between different time intervals, occurs within limited amount of space. Such uniqueness has characterized Silom as an interesting urban area. The researchs objective is to study the relationships between limited open space and the activities of different types of users at different time interval, in order to propose an appropriate linkage of the open space, within the different dimensions. The study uses secondary source of information as a basis for survey and observation in the area. Study suggests that most of the open space in the Silom business district can be distinguished into 2 types: an open space as a network of circulation circuits and open space linked with a building. There has not been a significant change in the pattern of everyday-life activities by users that are office employees, passerby, tourists, vendors, and residents within the area. However, there is an increase in activities that is taking up more space in the area. They are flea market and food center in a form of temporary tents, occurring during the day only, and vendors increasingly taking up the walkways. The amount of space available to support these activities remains the same despite their rapid increase, which leads to problems of congestion and inefficient use of areas. Aspects of the problems in the open space system can be summarized into 1. Lack of area to support activities 2. Conflict of the activities that occurred 3. Inability to utilize the potentials of some area 4. Deterioration of landscape and environment. Design solution proposed in this study is the increase in circulation path and open space in order to spread out activities from the existing area and to reduce its density. Renovation of the area is also considered, by proposing an elevated linkage between a sky train station and potential buildings. Its objective is to increase area supporting these diverse activities and to reduce their conflict that originally occurred. This linkage will integrate the open space systems together to ensure accessibility and security. Moreover, it also suggests an alternative type of social space, utilizing certain area owned by private sector for public benefit with economic feasibility. However, the introduction of a new structure into the existing urbanscape will generate risks in environmental impact. Precautions in design solutions and details must be seriously considered to minimize such impact. It is hopeful that the idea would provide another way of creating a livelier urban atmosphere, with a better quality of life, and will serve as a case study to be implemented in future projects.