The Impact of Housing Development on the Urban Poor's Well-Being Along Bangkok's Canal

Abstract

The canal community housing development project is part of the government's policy to address the issue of public canals encroachment by various communities, to enhance the drainage capacity of public canals in Bangkok and its surrounding areas to prevent flooding, following the severe flooding in 2011. This project has also indicated positive impacts on the quality of life of participating residents. This article examines the impact of the canal community housing development project on the quality of life of its residents and the challenges encountered during its implementation. The study found that the project had positive impacts on the residents’ quality of life in four key aspects: mental health, physical health, environment, and social relationships. Moreover, it transformed the discourse from a negative perception of overcrowded communities, land encroachment, and drug-related areas to model communities and housing development learning centers. However, the project faced challenges related to the limited participation of some community members, which led to a slow development process, as well as internal conflicts among community members. Additionally, it was found that some members lack financial discipline to repay their housing loans to the housing cooperative. Furthermore, government renewal and policy changes may lead to a lack of coordination among government agencies in addressing community issues.