Varsity study plan to delay riverside project

[rooster59]

Varsity study plan to delay riverside project

Pratch Rujivanarom

BANGKOK: THE Chao Phraya Riverside promenade is behind schedule due to "procedural difficulties" and hiring an academic institute to serve as the project adviser has been suggested as a solution.

The project has been criticised for its lack of information, having ambiguous terms of reference and for disregarding the riverside communities it will affect.

The Siam Society and the Architects Council of Thailand (ACT) said last week the project should be revised to address such problems.

"We are planning to hire a university to do the study and consulting for the project, because as of now no decision has been made by top executives of the BMA [bangkok Metropolitan Administration] to open a round of bidding," Phinit Lert-udomthana, chairman of the committee charged with finding a consulting firm for the project, said.

"It is certain that the project will have to face a delay, if there is nothing happening like this."

Only one consulting firm showed an interest in bidding for the project, so the BMA cancelled the auction.

Phinit revealed that his committee had come up with the idea of having the university to provide advice, which would remove the need to hire a consulting firm.

"The committee has contacted Chulalongkorn University because the university has a very good reputation of academic excellence and it will help boost the credibility of the project study report," he said.

He said that if the university suggestion was rejected by the BMA, the qualification criteria for picking a consulting firm would have to be lowered to allow more companies to complete in the auction and that may result in a lower quality bid winner.

The project has faced strong opposition since it was announced early this year. Last week the Siam Society and ACT said in a statement that the authorities needed to respect the social, historical and geological context of the Chao Phraya and the communities along its bank.

Prof Kanung Luchai, a senior honorary adviser for the Siam Society, said the organisation was not totally against the project, but it believed the government was trying to push it without providing adequate information to the public.

"The Chao Phraya River is the major bloodline of the country. The communities along its bank all have their own unique identity, |which are symbols of Bangkok and Thailand. So it is very important that the project is developed |with an understanding of the social, |historical and cultural context |of the area," Kanung said.

Sudara Sudchaya, an expert in the history and heritage of communities, said building the large promenade would further isolate communities from their historical connection to the river, like what happened with the construction of the 3.5 metres-high flood prevention dike there.

"The Chao Phraya River is [part of] the national identity and Thai people historically connect with the river. So it is not appropriate to entirely copy the riverside development plans of other countries, which have different contexts, to build on our river," Sudara said.

At a separate media conference, ACT president Jedkamchorn Phromyothi said terms of reference for the 14-kilometre project were based on the understanding that "one section fits all" for its construction.

That neglected the environment of the area and it did not prioritise public participation in the project, Jedkamchorn said.

Jedkamchorn urged those responsible for project to revise it, relying on greater input from experts.

Chulalongkorn University's Department of Urban and Regional Planning said that there were 29 riverside communities, eight schools, eight religious places, eight administrative offices and one landmark affected by the project.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Varsity-study-plan-to-delay-riverside-project-30273866.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-28

[trogers]

Very easy way out. Impose a building height restriction on this whole project not to exceed 12 metres above the river bank.

[ChrisY1]

If this project was designed properly by recognised consultants who have completed similar projects, it could really enhance the river and create a beautiful area.

However, it seems it's nothing less than a shambles and if it ever gets going will run into the usual cost over-runs, scams, be built as cheap as possible and look 10 years old in 1 years time!

[gandalf12]

THe issues raised just show what a shambles the "contract" to perform the work is. All of these issues should have been thought out before considering the start of the project and adequately incorporated into the terms and conditions.