Landscape conservation development guideline of Ditch and Ridge of Khantharawichai Historical area in Mahasarakham province

Abstract

This includes the road widening project, the change of land use from an agricultural area into a residential area, the change of public landscape, the destruction of public forest, and the expansion of a commercial zone around the historical area. With these development, physical and environmental changes, it is crucial to study the guideline to preserve and develop the historical city of Katharawichai, Maha Sarakham. This guideline is a framework of the city preservation and development rooted from the understanding of values, relations, and important components of the environments in the settlement of the historical area for a sustainable future. There are five main conceptual frameworks including 1) the Isan settlement, 2) the landform of Thailand from space, 3) historical conservation, 4) urban participation. The research methodology includes 1) literature reviews, 2) visual survey, focus group and urban participation, 3) data analysis with SWOT, 4) definition of a conservation framework and landscape development guideline. The research found that the valuable elements for conservation and enhancement are 1) Isan initial settlement of ditch and didge 2) element and relationship for land form with ditch and ridge in Khantharawichai historical area 3) landscape conservation development guideline of ditch and ridge of Khantharawichai historical area