REVIEW OF BANG PLEE-BANG BOR NEW COMMUNITY PROJECT

The study reviews a proposed new town community housing program in Bang Plee-Bang Bor and makes recommendations to improve on project implementation. The overall program was found to be well planned. The Thai National Housing Authority (NHA) has acquired land for the new town, which will be a divided between residential, industrial, and commercial estates and will include government, education, and health services. An analysis of potential demand for industrial land and worker housing has been made and tentative financing commitments have been secured from the Thai Ministry of Finance, USAID, and the Asian Development Bank. The project is consistent with NHA housing policies in that at least 55% of the homes will be affordable for those with incomes under the Bangkok urban median. Job opportunities will be available onsite to provide effective demand for the residential housing component. It is projected that between 3,800 and 4,800 jobs will be created in the industrial estate, approximately 4,000 in the commercial estate, and about 4,000 in other areas, although this potential will be realised only quite slowly. The NHA plans to construct 4,857 housing units between 1980 and 1983 and estimates total population of the new town at 130,000. Because the new town development is being built on former rice paddy land, a critical need exists to plan and build an adequate sewerage system. Provision of this and other public utilities will be essential to the program"s success. It is recommended that implementation of the program be supported by: (1) secure financial commitments from government and independent agencies; (2) a realistic determination of housing affordability; (3) a management program to coordinate construction activities; (4) an industrial marketing program to promote onsite employment opportunities; (5) a comprehensive estate management program; and (6) an investigation of alternative housing designs, street layouts, and utility provisions.