Imagine Sustainable City: HLP Train Station Area Case Study

Guidelines to Develop Bangkok Railway Station Area (Hua Lumphong: HLP) towards Sustainable Development Approach is part of the research project titled ‘The Study of Conceptual Plan to Conserve and Develop of Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong)’. The research consisted of the research program, and 3 sub-projects: (1) A Study for Conceptual Plan and Design Guideline and Architectural Conservation of HLP Area, (2) Financial Feasibility and Management for a Sustainable Land Development of HLP (3) The Study of Logistics System Connecting to HLP.

HLP has been in operation for the past 105 years. Its construction started in 1910 and completed in 1916. (State Railway of Thailand, n.d.) Designed by Mr.Mario Tamagno, an Italian architect, the station was built in a dome-type edifice in Italian style blended with Renaissance Art, similar to Frankfurt train station in Frankfurt, Germany. Its area expanded to more than 192,000 m2. (Sarakadee magazine, 2012; Fakthong et al., 2021). Part of the findings show that the area development has to be in-depth reviewed in terms of history, economics, environment, and combine with the preservation of virtuous traditional arts and culture. It could help maintain the city identity while performing potential and sustainable development that encourages people to live their lives in good quality. According to research public forums, the meetings revealed guidelines for developing the HLP area with the principle of sustainable development approach, the guidelines to develop the area was separated into three dimensions: economic dimension, social dimension, and environmental dimension as follows:

(1)Economic Dimension

It referred to area development that generates economic value, the employment of knowledge and skill-based workers, as well as innovation-based enterprises.

(2) Social Dimension

To provide a variety of creative services and products that truly reflect the identity of HLP and its surroundings, as well as being a heritage site located in the heart of creative downtown districts like Charoenkrung. As a result, the promotion of these activities on a social term could take the form of being a connection point for the surrounding historical and cultural landmarks while also producing potential revenue for the community.

(3) Environmental Dimension

The results of the study indicated that the development of the area could encourage eco-friendly products and services.

Moreover, there some examples toward to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as show in table 1.

Table 1 SDGs in Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong)

The connectivity of the nearby area, comprising, physical environment, such as building utilization, space allocation, and area and buildings modification were designed