Chiang Mai Urban Farm (Mae Kha Canal)
Chiang Mai, Thailand · Operator: Jaibaan Studio with local communities (co-creation 'Promoter' group)
Overview
During COVID-19, a 'Promoter' group led by local architecture firm Jaibaan Studio worked with residents and civic groups to turn state-owned idle land into an inclusive public space and food-producing site, aiming to improve food security, nutrition and self-sufficiency for vulnerable residents.
Citizen participation
A participatory placemaking project where residents, civic groups, academics and authorities jointly transformed a former landfill on state land beside the Mae Kha Canal, next to low-income informal settlements, into a community garden, with architects acting as facilitators for resident-led co-design.
Operating model
A non-profit collaborative project launched in response to pandemic food insecurity. It includes plots for short- and long-harvest crops, a chicken coop, a nursery and storage, and acts as a learning centre hosting tours and knowledge exchange.
Impact
Regenerated a rubbish dump into a green urban farm, securing food security and public space for informal settlements, and is highlighted as an academic case of participatory community gardening in Thailand.
Land tenure
Interim use of state-owned idle land (a former landfill) through resident collaboration.
Crops
- vegetables
- herbs
Scale
Former landfill / state-owned gray area along the Mae Kha Canal in the city centre
Sources（3）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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