LAT PRAO CANAL
COMMUNITY
BANGKOK, THAILAND
DESCRIPTION
Informal Canal Communities on the floodline Thailand is among the countries most impacted by the long-term effects of climate change, a big part of the risks being floods. Sea level rise and increased rainfall pose a serious threat to its capital Bangkok, and the Lat Prao canal communities which live near the city’s main drainage waterways. To alleviate the living conditions of over 6,000 households that live in the area, PCN is working with the government on a $76 million project to rebuild homes and put up embankments to protect both the community and the city from flooding. Though temporary, the fix is an opportunity to improve climate resiliency of these low-income houses on the long run by creating human-centered landscape solutions, running educational programs about flood-resilient design and raising public awareness on environmental issues.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Manager
CODI
Porous City Network
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Landscape Design
LANDPROCESS
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Architecture Design
N7A Architects
LESSONS LEARNED
In Bangkok, the Lat Phrao canal community is a highly flood-prone informal settlement located in a dense urban area. This community represents over 6,000 households living near the city’s main drainage waterways and faces serious threats from sea-level rise and increased rainfall. When heavy rains overwhelm the drainage system, this low-income neighborhood is among the hardest hit.
To address these challenges, PCN collaborated with government partners on a $76 million redevelopment project to rebuild homes and construct protective embankments along the canal banks. While these embankments offer temporary relief, they mark a vital first step toward protecting vulnerable residents.
What sets this initiative apart is its human-centered approach. Rather than imposing predetermined solutions, PCN worked closely with the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to listen to the community. ​
CO-BENEFITS ON ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE
Beyond flood-resilient homes, the project promotes green infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavements, urban forests, and community farms. These solutions address the root causes of flooding, including rapid urbanization, loss of green spaces, and inadequate water management systems.
Flooding is a global issue, as seen in events like Hurricane Harvey in the United States, which caused widespread devastation and loss of life. This underscores a universal truth: climate change is intensifying natural disasters worldwide. For Bangkok, long-term resilience requires more than protective barriers. It demands sustainable urban planning, cross-sector collaboration, and the active involvement of communities.
