“Humanize Bangkok” project, Thailand

Bangkok, in Thailand, is one of the most populated cities in the world, a symbol of uncontrolled urban growth, marked by heavy pollution and huge traffic problems. In 1998, a project entitled "Humanise Bangkok" was jointly implemented by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO and the Embassy of France in Bangkok.

The objective was to show how the historical centre could generate the urban identity of the whole metropolis, how it could be the heart of Bangkok and the pillar of social cohesion, and how it could boost contemporary cultural creativity.

At the time the innovative aspect of this project was its rational and process to build a city by involving local communities and increase quality of life for the inhabitants of Bangkok through mini projects for the improvement of public spaces and the revitalization of the historic centre. In this context, two French architects conducted preparatory work for the enhancement of five public spaces in the historic district of Bangkok, Rattanakosin under the framework of the France-UNESCO Cooperation Agreement in 1999.