Spatial Characteristics and Meanings of Trok A Case Study of Trok Sin-Trok Tuek Din Community, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok

Abstract

This research is a study of spatial characteristics and meaning of alleyways in an urban community, named Trok Sin-Trok Tuek Din Community, located in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. It aims to examine the relationship between spatial usages and physical components of the alleyways. Based on field surveys, the research tools include movement and activity tracking maps, plans and sectional diagrams. Grounded in the framework of architectural psychology and dwelling. The research focuses on different types of users, i.e. the insiders and the outsiders. This research concludes that different types of users, in other words, different degrees of familiarity account for different spatial characteristics and meanings of alleys. To illustrate, the insider’ movement activities both moving to and occupying alley space, mostly take place around the enclosure areas, either surrounded by private dwellings or interrelated to the inhabitations’ living space, thus creating a series of small social interaction spaces along the pathway. These social interactions frequently occur nearby junctions and transition spaces between living space and alleyway. By contrast, the outsiders’ movement activities and occupying alley space are evident in more open and public spaces that are irrelated to the living area.