Theme of Bangkok Design Week 2024

Livable Scape

The More People Act, The Better The City

hard matters . heart matters . design matters

Bangkok: A Tourist’s Delight, but Not Yet a Pleasant Place to Live

In various rankings of ‘tourist cities,’ Bangkok consistently ranks at the top as a city that everyone wants to visit. This is due to the charm of its diverse tourist attractions, palatable food alternatives at all price ranges, a reasonable cost of living for travelers, and, most importantly, its friendly people.

Nonetheless, Bangkok’s ranking in the category of ‘livable cities’ falls far behind due to various structural issues. These include traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure to support daily life, air quality problems, insufficient green spaces, and public areas. Moreover, Bangkok faces future challenges, such as the rise of the aging population and rapid urban transformation while struggling with a weakened cultural foundation.

Being a desirable tourist destination alone is not sufficient to make the city robust and resilient in the face of current global challenges. The city’s livability is an essential aspect that supports sustainable and inclusive urban development. This is achieved through urban experiences that integrate physical, mental, and social well-being, spanning from private spaces to public areas, and from neighborhoods to the city as a whole. The city should provide goods, services, and activities that cater to every need and foster connections between people and the urban context, encompassing local culture and the environment. It should also create diverse connections that unite individuals within society, promoting exchange, collaboration, and action.

Bangkok Design Week 2024 (BKKDW2024), therefore, serves as a dynamic platform for new ideas and urban experiences throughout the city. It encourages everyone to participate in creating a ‘Livable Scape’ in all possible forms, from the small things around us to the relationships we build, the space we inhabit, the environment we live in, and the views we see, through the Festivalisation of the city in three essential dimensions:

• Hard Matters: A city that is physically well-designed, effortlessly accessible, and promotes good health.
• Heart Matters: A city that is emotionally nurturing, caring for its people, offering a variety of activities, and celebrating authentic culture.
• Design Matters: A city that is well-designed, ensuring a good life, thriving public spaces, strong communities, and contributing to the creative economy.

Together, we can make Bangkok a city that is livable, attractive for investment, and worth visiting, becoming a lovable city for its residents, investors, and visitors. Let’s move beyond ideology to practicality. Anyone can take the first step.

‘The more people act, the better the city, the better quality of life.’

Bangkok Design Week 2024

Livable Scape 

hard matters . heart matters . design matters

27 Jan – 4 Feb 2024

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