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Vacant lotActiveSince 2020

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

License / permitInterim use

Interim use of state-owned idle land (a former landfill) through resident collaboration.

Crops

  • vegetables
  • herbs
  • leafy greens

Scale

Former landfill / state-owned gray area along the Mae Kha Canal in the city centre

In the media(2)

Sources(1)

Related cases

Chiang Mai Urban Farm (Mae Kha Canal) — Urban Farm DB