Public participatory approach to mitigate adverse effect of the Chaophraya river embankment construction project to the riverfront communities : in Pak Kret area Nonthaburi province
Abstract:
This research aims to study the public participatory approach to mitigate the impact of the Chaophraya River embankment construction in Pak Kret area, Nonthaburi, as part of the Chao Phraya River Development Project. The government currently has a master plan to develop the Chao Phraya riverfront which covers the waterfront areas in four provinces (Thaipublica, 2015). The local government agency has adopted this master plan by dividing the project into phases. The study area, of which the project was almost completed, but some parts of it collapsed and that caused damage to the surrounding communities. The surveys found many negative effects which are divided into physical and affective attitudes. For example, the embankment has changed the way of life of the waterfront communities. The effect of the project in which the communities are not as participative as they should be, then questioning to the participation procedure of government agencies .The study focuses on in-depth interviews with the communities includes 1) those who have been damaged by the collapse; 2) those who have been around the embankment but have not been damaged by the collapse; and 3) community members living close to where the collapsing embankment is located. This research concludes the reasons why the communities are affected without sufficient preparation. Data from surveys and interviews were analysed in order to develop a guideline for inspection of information for further waterfront development project participations.