Relationship Between Housing and Workplace of Residents in Bang Plee New Town, Samut Prakarn Province

Abstract

Bang Plee New Town established by the National Housing Authority in 1980 with the objective of supporting the expansion of Bangkok. This innovative project operated under the visionary concept of creating a self-contained new town. With the primary aim to commute long distances to work in the crowded metropolis of Bangkok. The target was to have at least 50 percent of the residents gainfully employed within Bang Plee New Town. To study the living conditions and job sources of residents in the city. The core purpose of the article is to study the characteristics of residences and the location of employment sources. The commuting behaviors of the city's residents. To analyze the relationship between housing and workplace of the residence in Bang Plee New Town. The relationship between different type of housing and the location of employment sources. Currently, its 35,631 residential units. A total of 411 sets of questionnaires serves as the primary tool for data collection.

The study's findings that the sample of residents in Bang Plee New Town exhibited a diverse income distribution, with 35.2% belonging to low-income households, 39.4% into the middle-income, and 25.3% categorized as high-income households. The low-income households tended to have smaller household sizes, typically consisting of 1-2 individuals. In contrast, middle- and high-income households had larger households, with 3-5 people residing together. A significant majority, approximately 72.5% of the residents, opted to live in flats and apartments. with ownership rights in the rental of 56.5% A substantial 83.6% of Bang Plee New Town residents found employment within the new city itself. The top job sectors included 38.0% in sales roles, 26.1% as factory workers, and 23.5% working for private companies. Most residents 35.6% had work locations within 1 kilometer from their homes. Remarkably, 58.1% didn't need to travel more than 1 kilometer, and 37.0% chose to commute by motorcycle. This proximity resulted in a considerable number of residents not exceeding 30 minutes in their daily commute. A significant portion of residents 29.2% reported monthly travel expenses ranging from 500-1,200 baht.

The close proximity of homes to workplaces contributed to cost and time savings in commuting. The study serves as a compelling reference and instructive case study for private sector stakeholders interested in land or housing development initiatives. They underscore the paramount importance of integrating a fundamental principle: achieving a harmonious balance between residential living and accessible employment opportunities, commonly referred to as the "Jobs-Housing Balance." Furthermore, the concept of establishing self-sustaining new towns, where residents can conveniently access both residential and occupational amenities within a single community, emerges as a pivotal facet of successful development.