Environmental impacts of urban sprawl on land use changes and air quality : a case study of Latkrabang District, Bangkok, Thailand | |
| Author | Tanaphoom Wongbumru |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-05-20 |
| Subject(s) | Cities and towns--Thailand--Bangkok--Growth Air quality--Thailand--Bangkok Land use, Urban--Thailand--Bangkok |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Urbanization has caused urban sprawl development in the suburban areas in many cities. In Bangkok, sprawl has continued along transport routes leading to various environmental problems such as land use conflicts. This problem has led to automobile dependency contributing to air quality degradation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of urban sprawl in the Hau-Takhe community of Latkrabang District. The focus was on the relationship of land use changes and air quality, and to understand the role of stakeholders in promoting air quality management to reduce air pollution. The study shows that airport, industrial estate, education center, and motorway are the main reasons for population growth in the community. The population growth leads to overcrowded community and excessive land consumption for housing demand. Housing developments in the form of commercial buildings and single housing units have been developed along the main road in the form of ribbon development pattern especially in open space area in the community. Owing to the high density of population in the residential area, the land use regulation needs to be changed from medium to high residential density to match the population growth under the standard of land use regulation of BMA. Insufficient public transportation in high residential area leads to automobile dependency for people commuting and incomplete compact development in the district has caused an increased in the trips for shopping and work leading to traffic congestion. This has created air pollution which is harmful to the environment and health of the people in the community. The study of emission prediction shows that the emissions will shortly exceed the standards, especially those pollutants from mobile sources in the community. Therefore, air quality management is urgently needed, especially with respect to inspection and maintenance of the vehicle program and more focus on air pollution reduction. The study indicates that the main issues such as decentralized system, budget allocation, human resources, and lack of public participation are major obstacles in implementing air quality management. However, promoting policies to reduce air pollution in Latkrabang district under the local government, and increasing participation on air quality management for stakeholders are possible approaches. This study suggests that the involvement of the stakeholders such as NGOs, private company, and the leader of the group of vehicle owners in decision-making process would lead to more efficient air quality management in the district. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Nowarat Coowanitwong |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sajor, Edsel E.;Routray, Jayant K. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |