Ratchaburi Old Town: A Preservation and Development Study

Abstract

Old towns are places full of history, heritage, and culture, all underpinned by aesthetic, social, and economic values. The central government has initiated a country-wide 'old town preservation' policy that aims to preserve the cultural heritage of old towns while also allowing for some urban development to achieve future socio-economic goals. Integrated in the government's policy scheme in 2017, Ratchaburi historic center was the object of a study entitled "The Preservation and Development Plan of Ratchaburi Old Town" upon which this paper draws for most of this contents.

The study of Ratchaburi Old Town was carried out through a three-pronged approach: (1) cultural heritage; (2) current physical, socio-economic conditions; and (3) old town preservation and development approach. The paper is organized in three parts. The first part offers some background to the study and lists its objectives, research questions, the theoretical framework and the research methodology. The second part offers information on the cultural heritage and current situation of Ratchaburi Old Town. The third and last part presents the research findings and opens the discussion on the proposed interventions of the preservation and development plans of Ratchaburi Old Town.

Research findings show that Ratchaburi is a very old settlement dating back to more than a thousand years. Since the Ayutthaya Period, the settlement has been a strategic outpost for the court of Siam. The survey identified at least 32 tangible cultural heritage structures. However, very little is known among the public about the city's rich history. The city's cultural heritage is inadequately preserved and little is done in the economic sector to boost development prospects. At present, Ratchaburi Old Town's physical environment is still imbued with some pleasant atmosphere. The town is divided into neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity relative to its history and physical, economic and social environment. However, Ratchaburi Old Town faces many challenges such as a chaotic cityscape resulting from uncontrolled built development, economic stagnation, pollution and population decline.

The preservation and development plan of Ratchaburi old town proposes 3 approaches, including (1) area-based conservation, value-based conservation and historic urban landscape, (2) area regeneration based on applications of cultural heritages, and (3) stakeholder participation.