Environmental Design Commons^™

Re-Imagining Design For Affordable Housing In Mexico, Kenza Fernandez Dominguez

Scripps Senior Theses

Since the presidency of Enrique Peña Nieto, affordable housing developments in Mexico have been produced in a massive, unsustainable scale. The speed at which these developments are produced equates to the carelessness that goes into their planning. At large, the developments’ monotonous design is aesthetically dehumanizing and fails to promote a sense of community. These developments lack basic infrastructure, and their residents have abandoned them, which has incentivized increased criminal activity.

In this paper, I will be looking at successful models of affordable housing globally, exploring the histories of communal living, and function of architectural collages. Based on my findings, …

Re-Imagining Design For Affordable Housing In Mexico, Kenza Fernandez Dominguez

Scripps Senior Theses

Since the presidency of Enrique Peña Nieto, affordable housing developments in Mexico have been produced in a massive, unsustainable scale. The speed at which these developments are produced equates to the carelessness that goes into their planning. At large, the developments’ monotonous design is aesthetically dehumanizing and fails to promote a sense of community. These developments lack basic infrastructure, and their residents have abandoned them, which has incentivized increased criminal activity.

In this paper, I will be looking at successful models of affordable housing globally, exploring the histories of communal living, and function of architectural collages. Based on my findings …

Relief Revival Reincarnation, Lisa Moon

Theses and Dissertations

there is a complex connectivity that we have with the built environment that goes beyond visual aesthetics and stimulates each of our senses. this connectivity is tied to our identity and the way we contextualize our experiences and our world. inspired by ethnographic observations, oscar newman’s seminal work, + the pruitt-igoe documentary, the project seeks to study the elements of this connectivity or in some cases the reduced connectivity within a public housing residential environment.

what contributes to this reduced connectivity?

newman examined it from an architectural perspective, exterior elements of building, space designation, corridors, skip|stop elevators, circulation patterns, natural …

Biking In Indianapolis: An Ethnographic Analysis Of Obstacles And Solutions, Emory Lietz

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Indiana is known as the ""Crossroads of America"" for its historic investment in vehicle infrastructure. This focus on automobiles has shaped Indianapolis's urban landscape, to the dismay of many cyclists. Based on semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders in the Indianapolis cycling community, including urban planners, bike commuters, IndyGo employees, city government officials, and bike advocates, this project identifies and evaluates the current barriers that prevent Indianapolis residents from riding their bikes. These obstacles, which include infrastructural, safety, and social factors, make it more difficult than it ought to be to bike in Indy.

For my thesis project, I …

Conflicts In Managing Chiang Mai’S Abandoned Monasteries, Tanwutta Thaisuntad

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

In Chiang Mai’s old town district, there are many monasteries that are still standing, some ‘living’ and some abandoned. These abandoned monasteries stand in the modern environment without any direct policymaking from the official stakeholders concerning their upkeep or protection. In this way, the remains of abandoned sacred places face a hostile environment and their survival is threatened. Each place is used in various ways, such as being utilized for government offices, being used as sacred places of elementary schools, or existing among poor communities; some are in the process of being revitalized. Most of the problems they face involve …

Curartistry : Curating Everyday Artistry In Bangkok, Chittawadi Chitrabongs

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

How can architecture be taught internationally, beyond the neocolonialist tendency of European-based international exchange programs? Curartistry, a method of curating everyday artistry in Bangkok, is used to achieve bilateral exchanges in art and architectural education between teachers and students of different nationalities. We offer interpretations of late-nineteenth-century and post-war ideas of “everyday life,” based especially on Charles Baudelaire’s “The Painter of Modern Life,” Henry Lefebvre’s “Critique of Everyday Life,” Maurice Blanchot and Susan Hanson’s “Everyday Speech,” and Walter Benjamin’s “On Some Motifs in Baudelaire.”  Their ideas grew out of their experiences in Western European metropolises, and continue to reflect similar …

Effects Of Climate Responsive Strategies And Adaptive Behavior Of Occupants On Thermal Comfort In Indoor Environments Of Vernacular Architecture : A Review Of Necessities And Goals, Mohammad Ali Sargazi, Mansoureh Tahbaz

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study addresses the goals, reasons, and necessities of analyzing the effects of climate responsive strategies and adaptive behavior on thermal comfort in the indoor environments of vernacular architecture. For this purpose, 86 studies were reviewed, including 71 studies about climate responsive strategies and 15 others about adaptive behavior in vernacular architecture and dwellings that were carried out between 2000 and 2018. The research methodology included a statistical survey and analysis of necessities and goals of the studies reviewed in this paper. To this end, the designated studies were analyzed and reviewed from different aspects, such as the history and …

3d Data Visualization And Analysis Tools For Ai Ready City : Space Syntax And Social Media Data, Santirak Prasertsuk, Chawee Busayarat

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Space syntax is now widely accepted as a set of techniques that can be used to efficiently analyze spatial morphological structure at the city or community level. Segment analysis, a type of space syntax that is typically rendered through two-dimensional vector lines, can show the effectiveness of pedestrian and vehicular accesses to parts of a city. However, analysis of a city’s condition is far too diverse and complex for the use of space syntax alone. Other types of information, such as data from social media, can be integrated to determine and locate problems in the city, or to search for …

User Satisfaction And The Social And Environmental Benefits Of Urban Green Spaces : A Case Study Of Thimphu City, Bhutan, Chandra Man Rai, Yeshi Dorji, Sangay Zangmo

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Urban green spaces provide important recreational, social, and ecological benefits in urban settings. Understanding of the use and benefits associated with green spaces amongst urban residents is crucial in developing appropriate urban green infrastructure strategies. This study explored visitors’ levels of satisfaction with the benefits, characteristics, and determined factors influencing visitor satisfaction with urban green spaces. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey from a random sample of 125 visitors from three urban green spaces in the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.  Visitors' satisfaction with urban parks was assessed based on their quality, social, and environmental benefits. Descriptive statistics and …

Development Of A Hydrodynamic Model For Regulating Water Drainage Of Reservoir And Water Resources Management, Lamtakong Watershed Of Thailand, Banchongsak Faksomboon

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The goal of this research was to develop a hydrodynamic model (HDD-M) for water resource management in the Lamtakong Watershed (LTKW), as well as to simulate three scenarios: 1) Current land use conditions in 2021, 2) Forecasting predicted land-use changes in 2024, and 3) Water drainage regulation of the Lamtakong Reservoir (LTKR) for water resource management in 2024. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and Geographic Information System (GIS) program were used to estimate and simulate the amount of Surface Runoff (S), Sediment Yield (SED), Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand concentration (CBOD), and Nitrate concentration (NO3) based on a …

The Analytical Tools For Tourism Development Through Social Media Data And Spatial Morphological Analysis, Pachara Suvannadabha, Chawee Busayarat, Thepchai Supnithi

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

In the tourism sector, social media data help elucidate the travel behavior and activities of travelers through images and reviews. However, geospatial studies with spatial analysis tools such as GIS are still required by researchers who hope to gain beneficial insight into tourism development from such social media data. In addition to spatial studies, Space syntax analysis is used to explain the spatial characteristics and accessibility of both pedestrians and vehicles; however, the method doesn't consider how people use the space. Therefore, using social media with space syntax analysis will help enhance the understanding of both tourism and spatial aspects. …

Optimizing Open Green Space On Urban Campuses Through The Case Of Ui Salemba Campus : A Step Towards Improved Green Metric Ranking, Indrajati Wurianturi, Hayati Sari Hasibuan, Emirhadi Suganda

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Universities are trying to make their campuses sustainable. One of the tools used to evaluate the level of campus sustainability is UI Green Metric World University Rank (UIGMWUR), which focuses on sustainable efforts implemented by universities. It has become clear, however, that it is difficult for urban campuses to obtain a good ranking under the UIGMWUR framework due to the limited amount of open green space in dense city areas. Therefore, one possible strategy involves optimizing the existing open green space. This research was conducted to determine some possible solutions through the use of observation and a Likert scale questionnaire. …

Property Developers’ Experiences With The Planning Approval Process In Ogun And Oyo States Of Nigeria : A Comparative Analysis, Nathaniel Oluwaseun Ogunseye

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study carried out a comparative analysis of property developers’ experiences with the planning approval process (PAP) in Ogun and Oyo States of Nigeria. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were adopted in the selection of property developers surveyed. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection and analysis was conducted with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics 26). Major findings indicate that the property developers were mostly high-income in Ogun State and medium-income in Oyo State. It was established that the trend in awareness of PAP among property developers was on the rise in Ogun State, whereas a …

Assessment Of Climate Change Impact, Resistant Behavior, And Adaptation Possibilities On 16th To 18th Century Ce Mughal Period’S Brick Monumental Structures Of Haryana Region Of The Indian Subcontinent, Amit Kumar Mishra

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The value of the monumental structures of the Mughal era (1526 CE-1761 CE) of the Haryana region of India lies not only in its role as a witness to the rise and fall of the Mughal and Colonial eras, but also because it provides physical evidence for the austere tradition of give and take comprising the living knowledge and skill of Islamic architecture and indigenous skills, along with the geological origin of raw materials, artificial manufacturing, longevity, and durability of these huge earth-based masonry structures. Unfortunately, alterations due to the vagaries of weather and climate have badly affected the monumental …

The Design Of Physical Components Of Endoscopy Units : A Case Study Of Four Major Public Hospitals In Thailand, Chatchai Wiriyakraikul, Wasita Amatyakul, Kawin Dhanakoses

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Endoscopists and medical practitioners of the Thai Association of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TAGE) have raised critical concerns regarding vast variations in the design of endoscopy facilities. This study presents an overview of the design of gastrointestinal endoscopy units in Thailand. The case studies include six endoscopy units from four major public hospitals in Bangkok. The research methodology comprises three main parts. The first part is based on a literature review of international and local architectural design guidelines to understand and justify the research framework. The second part includes walk-through observations and documentation of the current condition. Finally, the obtained data were …

The Development Of Modern Landscape Architecture In Thailand, Navanath Osiri

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The profession of landscape architecture has been firmly established in Thailand and has continued to flourish for over 40 years. Throughout this time, landscape architecture has made important contributions in improving environments, the people’s quality of life, and the aesthetics of Thailand’s cities and communities. This research discusses the development of the landscape architecture profession and design concepts in Thailand from the beginning to present to understand how landscape architecture has been cultivated through the processes of adaptation and appropriation.  The major contents of this research were obtained from the analysis of interviews conducted with 20 practitioners of landscape architecture …

Influence Of The Physical Attributes Of Boundary Walls On The Perceived Sociability Of The Adjoining Public Space, G. Saisanath, G. Subbaiyan

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

As part of the proliferation of security concerns and privatization of space, the consideration of boundary walls in contributing to the publicness of public spaces is limited to their presence and level of visual accessibility. However, as one of the interstitial configurations of street edges, the enabling capacity of the physical attributes of boundary walls in influencing the perceived sociability of the adjoining space has hardly been investigated. The contribution of boundary walls towards the publicness of public spaces is dependent on the intensity of their physical attributes. Physical features, surface uses, physical access, and visual access conditions are the …

Comparing Encased Stupas In Thailand And Myanmar, Myo Nyunt Aung

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This article compares the design of encased stupas from the 15th to 19th centuries CE in Thailand along with examples from Myanmar in order to highlight the shared custom of encasement alongside the differences which developed over time.  Archaeological evidence of stupa encasement is plentiful, particularly in Thailand, and shows variations in the design of space and patronage. In both these countries, the second or new donor sometimes left a gap between the original inner and new outer structure for patrons and pilgrims to move around the inner structure in veneration. This article compares examples alongside the customs and beliefs …

Associations Between Mobility Indices And The Covid-19 Pandemic In Thailand, Pitchaporn Inthisorn, Nattapong Puttanapong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study aims to examine the associations between the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and alternative indicators. Specifically, Apple mobility index, Google community mobility index, and Nighttime-light (NTL) data are used for empirical analyses using ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel regressions as research methods. Results produced by OLS models show that Apple’s subcategory of driving activity and Google’s subcategory of visiting transit places are negatively associated with the number of COVID-19 cases. To extend the spatiotemporal details of this analysis, we formulate the panel data by integrating the monthly provincial indicators of Apple mobility index, NTL index, and the …

Identifying Plant Species And Their Usage For Landscape On The Historical Mural Paintings Of Nan, Thailand, Paron Chatakul, Shusak Janpathompong

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Nowadays, marketing influences landscape design plant selection in Thailand, with less concern for ecology, culture, or local identity. Archaic murals showing historical contexts offer extraordinary evidence related to the effort to understand the history of plants in the geographic area. It is highly informative to study whether plants on murals correlate with plants that were part of daily life at the time that the murals were created. The study of Thailand's famous murals at Phumin and Nongbua temples is the first complete identification of plant species in Tid Buaphan's murals in Nan province. It aims to (1) document the plants …

The Impact Of Official Development Assistance On Carbon Emissions In Developing Countries : Implications For Mongolia, Soowon Choi, Zoljargal Munkhsaikhan, Jinhwan Oh

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Using comprehensive panel data covering 110 developing countries over four decades (1981–2020), this study asks the following questions: (1) Will carbon emissions naturally decrease as income levels in developing countries rise? and (2) How do financial resources reduce those emissions? The study finds that: 1) major carbon emissions are expected to decrease after countries reach a certain income threshold level, confirming the so-called Environmental Kuznets Hypothesis, with the turning point occurring between $26,884 and $38,674; and 2) both official development assistance (hereafter, ODA) disbursement in the energy sector and private investment are more effective in relatively lower income developing countries …

Circular Economy In The Built Environment, Kevin Hom

Publications and Research

The circular economy is as much an attitude as a program. The circular economy (CE) is an action plan which identifies a series of goals and associated outcomes. It is a comprehensive response to the impact of the industrial revolution and the linear economy model which was the economic basis of the industrial revolution. This manuscript discusses the philosophy and strategies of the circular economy and the role that the built environment has in implementing this philosophy.

How Far People Walk During Lunchtime : Comparing Actual And Perceived Walking Distances In The Central Business District Of Bangkok, Thailand, Shusak Janpathompong, Nij Tontisirin, Akinobu Murakami

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Walking has long been considered a significant factor in wellness. Previous studies have indicated 400-500 meters as a standard of the “acceptable walking distance” as compared to driving or other forms of transportation. However, “acceptable walking distance” and a “distance that one chooses to walk” are two different matters. More importantly, the distance people perceive for a trip can be one of the deciding factors in determining whether they are willing to walk, decide not to walk, or shift to other transportation modes. This research aims to define the optimal walking distances of office workers by measuring the discrepancy between …

The Determination Of Soil Infiltration Rate Of Urban Bioretention Design Process In Chiang Mai, Thailand, Prattakorn Sittisom, Rapee Tangsongsuwan, Sikarint Munlikawong, Wongkot Wongsapai, Sitthikorn Sitthikankun, Damrongsak Rinchumphu

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Stormwater runoff is an issue that is increasingly affecting urban areas because areas that previously were permeable have been developed, and are now impermeable, comprising hard surface areas, whether concrete floors, roads, or buildings. As the size of the problem area increases, the amount of stormwater runoff that needs to be cleared from urban areas increases, and it takes longer for the stormwater to be cleared. The existing basic public drainage systems can no longer sufficiently support the increasing stormwater runoff, directly affecting commuting and lifestyle. These problems have led to the design concept of bioretention, which can be used …

Finding A Balance Between Public And Private Spaces In Student Housing Design In Thailand, Sajid I Awal

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Public and private spaces are of equal importance in promoting social interaction and ensuring self-contemplation for users of student housing. This research aims to establish the right balance among the public and private spaces as it is arguably one of the difficulties in housing design. A housing design is proposed for students of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, analyzed, and justified following the research findings to derive the desired balance between the public and private spaces. Several sets of literature of related work are undertaken as part of the qualitative design. At the same time, space syntax is used as a …

Passive And Biophilic Design : Assessment Of The Semi-Open Educational Atrium Buildings In The Tropics, Songpol Atthakorn

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

The contemporary semi-open educational atrium buildings in Southeast Asia are among the most provocative sustainable buildings in tropical architecture. Since the qualities of natural environments inside atriums promote well-being and academic performance, passive and biophilic design strategies are applied to optimize the thermal and visual performances of the buildings. This research aims to assess four selected case studies in Bangkok in order to discover how the atrium elements affect the qualities of the inside natural environmental conditions, and recommend guidelines for semi-open atrium design. The most important natural environment indices are air temperature, radiation, humidity, airspeed, daylight, green area, view …

A Comparative Study Of Tvoc And Hcho Emissions From Various Multilayer Built-In Furniture Components Based On Iso 16000-9:2006 Emission Test Chamber Methods, Thanawadee Saengphet, Chanikarn Yimprayoon

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Multilayer materials of built-in furniture components emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the indoor environment. Although many green building rating systems have set criteria for indoor environments, typical buildings in Thailand have not implemented these requirements, especially for local furniture. This study aimed to identify the magnitude of VOC emissions and the relationships between these VOC emissions and inner structures, finishing techniques used for built-in components, and the cost of interior built-in furniture built by local contractors. A total of 33 specimens of built-in components normally found in Thailand were prepared and wrapped in plastic before being transported to the …

Examining The Root Causes Of On-Street Parking Mismanagement In Central Bangkok, Chakaphan Chullabodhi, Saksith Chalermpong, Apiwat Ratanawaraha

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Bangkok, a sprawling metropolis and capital of Thailand, has long-struggled with chronic on-street parking mismanagement despite repeated government attempts at regulation. This paper examines the root causes of ineffective on-street parking management in the city, elicited using root cause analysis (RCA), documentary research, field surveys, and in-depth interviews as data sources. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen government officers, focusing on the mindsets, motivations and incentives of stakeholders, and tree diagrams were developed to visualize cause-and-effect relationships and identify root causes of mismanagement. Our analysis identified eight root causes of ineffective on-street parking management stemming from misalignment of government …

Selection Criteria Of Ordinary Urban Heritages Through The Case Of Bangrak, A Multi-Cultural & Old Commercial District Of Bangkok, Prin Jhearmaneechotechai

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This paper examines preservation of an old and multicultural commercial district of Bangrak, Bangkok through application of ordinary urban heritage, which is an alternative approach, but one which can fill a gap in the heritage conservation process. The dual objectives of this paper are 1. Introducing an alternative lens for considering the heritages of ordinary people in an urban context through the case of Bangrak in Bangkok, Thailand; and 2. Identifying selection criteria of ordinary urban heritages.  Bangrak, the study area, is an old commercial district of inner Bangkok that is characterized by diversity in the different groups who live …

Characteristic Factors Influencing The Thai-Style Public Space Utilization : Case Study Of Sanam Na Mueang Public Park In Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town, Thailand, Rawin Thinnakorn, Pornthip Kimnuan

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This research aims to identify the characteristic factors influencing the Thai-style public space utilization with the combination of variables of good public space characteristics following the occidental and Thai theories from the perspective of actual users in order to create new components or factors influencing the Thai-style public space utilization. Sanam Na Mueang Public Park, located in Nakhon Si Thammarat Old Town, was specified as the study area. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to classify 30 variables influencing the success of public space utilization; data was collected from questionnaire responses provided by 320 people. The results indicate that the …