Page 56 - Designing Ways 261

At the Chao Phraya Sky Park’s hill
ON THE curve midpoint. The two divided
pathways merged at Sky Park’s
TERRACE midpoint, where the topography is
raised as a hilltop curve, formed by
small cascading steps that carve out
and driving viewpoints. These trees and a sitting area and a performance
stage for special occasions.
diverse layers of plants will change colour Photo credit: LANDPROCESS
throughout the seasons, providing vibrant,
revolving palettes to the city. By bridging
not just people, but also wildlife, these
native species promote urban biodiversity
by providing a microclimate and green
corridor for pollinators and insects.

From Vacant to Vibrant
In 2020, Chao Phraya Sky Park was
realised during the first pandemic
lockdown in Bangkok.
Once an inaccessible and incomplete
sky railway, the old ruins are now whole,
becoming the first recognised bridge
park to cross a river in any capital city.
The project symbolises a call to action
that must be further addressed in terms
of public health and public green spaces,
climate crises, and the urgency of building limited resources, there are emerging (BMA) Chula Unisearch, Chula-
resilient cities. possibilities for reinventing our world in longkorn University
Despite all adversity in making CPSP order to better adapt to climate change, • Urban Designer: Urban Design
possible, the project is a big step forward pandemics, and other uncertainties that Development Center (UDDC),
in collaboration with all stakeholders, lie ahead. By repurposing the useless, Chulalongkorn University
all professionals at par, urban designers, and rethinking the conventional, we can • Landscape Architect: Kotchakorn
landscape architects, architects, and create better cities with what we have, Voraakhom
engineers. Solving the city's most pressing including abandoned infrastructure that • Architect: Chakdao Navacharoen
issues in a low-carbon context, CPSP should not be left behind. • Civil Engineer: Pisitsak
offers a solution of reducing carbon Serklin, Sukkawich Thepchana
emissions in the construction process Technical sheet
with adaptive reuse. The bridge park also • Completion Date: 10 June 2020 • Structural Engineer: Thummanuun
increases green space and walkability, • Project Type: Public Park Across Susumphao, Ph.D.
thus enhancing public health and climate The River • Project Contractor: SGR Enterprise
resilience. • Project Area: 3,800 m2 Company Limited
By completing an unfinished dream, the • Project Owner: Bangkok Metro- • Community Participation: Cultural
CPSP is an example of how we can adapt politan Administration (BMA) Tourism Community Kadi Chin-
and healthily coexist with one another • Project Leader: City Planning and Klong San
and our environment. With respect to Urban Development Department • Trees: Ma Kok Nam, Ebony, Purple
Bauhinia, Flamboyant, Barbados
Pride, Blue Olive Berry
• Shrub – Ground Cover: Kyasuwa
grass, Waterkanon, Cat's Whiskers,
Red Amaranth, Will Cockscomb,
Horsetails, Gomphrena weed,
Crown flower, Foetid cassia, Sessile
joy weed, Roundleaf bindweed,
Indian sorrel, Wild Betel, Leafbush,
Brazilian Tea, American weed,
Indian Head Ginger, White Shrimp
Plant, Sesbania, Red ginger, Sweet
Basil, Holy Basil, Piper beetle, Kariya,
sunn hemp, False Daisy, Siam weed,
Fountain Grass, Galphimia, Wild
tea, Climbing Wedelia, Screw pine
Bridging not just people but also wildlife. dw
CPSP shows the importance of walkability, creating low car-
bon-emission construction from adaptive reuse while restoring its www.landprocess.co.th
citizens' physical and mental health with greenery. These natural
gradients promote urban biodiversity, providing a microclimate and
green corridor for pollinators and insects.
Photo credit: LANDPROCESS

58 Issue 261 • dw