Chiang Mai: “The City of a Hundred Ideas” Embracing Lifelong Learning Nicknamed “The City of a Hundred Ideas,” Chiang Mai truly lives up to its name. For over half a century, the city has continuously evolved through a series of visionary development plans and transformative milestones. From the First National Economic and Social Development Plan in 1961, the establishment of Chiang Mai University in 1964, and its designation as a regional hub in the 1980s, to hosting the 18th SEA Games in 1995, Chiang Mai has consistently positioned itself as a city of innovation and cultural prominence. In 1998, it was featured as a top-tier tourist destination in the national “Amazing Thailand” campaign, and has since been recognized under various identities—a green city (Wanakan City), a livable city, a Smart City, a Digital Nomad City, a candidate for World Heritage status, and a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts. These evolving identities not only highlight Chiang Mai’s exceptional potential, but also reflect the city’s vibrant calendar of year-round events and activities, demonstrating its dynamic engagement with both residents and visitors. On September 23, 2020, Chiang Mai officially became a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) through the initiative of the Chiang Mai City Municipality. In 2021, the “Learning City” concept was further developed through a practice-based research initiative, supported by Thailand’s Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU A) in collaboration with Chiang Mai Municipality and Chiang Mai University. It is both timely and inspiring to observe how the Learning City vision will continue to shape the lives of its people and the future of Chiang Mai.
"1. Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center, Prapokklao Road, Sri Phum Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, and surrounding areas under the administration of Chiang Mai Municipality): 1. Historic Academic Quarter – located within the Old City district 2. Kad Luang Commercial Quarter – including Thapae Road, Chang Klan, and San Pa Koi areas 3. Wua Lai Artisans’ Quarter – renowned for its traditional silversmithing and cultural heritage Administrative Body: Chiang Mai Municipality"
"Identified Challenges in Advancing Chiang Mai as a Learning City In the process of driving Chiang Mai toward becoming a fully realized Learning City, several critical pain points have been identified: 1. Gaps in collaborative learning and planning processes: There remains a significant disconnect in mechanisms for reflection, lesson extraction, and collective urban learning and development. Therefore, the issue of “connectivity”—among stakeholders, systems, and ideas—has emerged as a central priority to ensure continuity and sustainability in advancing Chiang Mai as a Learning City. 2. Weakening of community-level mechanisms: Community-based structures, which are essential for preserving local ways of life and cultural heritage, are facing a lack of intergenerational continuity. The absence of plans to cultivate emerging leaders has resulted in visible signs of fragility within local networks and systems. 3. Potential for urban integration through place-based strategies: Two key approaches—“Urban Festivals” and “Urban Ecosystems”—have been identified as promising models for integrating city-level institutions with grassroots networks. These are expected to be expanded into pilot projects in the next phase of development. 4. Uncertainty in developing Active Citizens: The concept of creating “Active Citizens” remains underdefined, with limited understanding of how to support their development or scale participation across the broader population. Effective mechanisms for assessment, monitoring, and evaluation are urgently needed to support this civic capacity-building goal. 5. Lack of clearly defined, tangible urban learning spaces: The city still lacks visible and accessible “Urban Learning Spaces” that are purposefully designed and embedded within community settings, making the creation of such spaces a critical next step."
"Strategic Directions for Advancing Chiang Mai as a Learning City 1. Establish collaborative mechanisms within local communities and document participatory processes and structures that promote co-learning, co-design, and co-creation among stakeholders. This aims to strengthen the learning ecosystem for sustainable urban development. 2. Develop a roadmap for enhancing Chiang Mai’s capacity to elevate its status and contribution within the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, aligning with international standards and local needs. 3. Foster a civic learning network that encourages citizens to actively engage in understanding, reflecting on, and participating in the development of their city through inclusive and lifelong learning initiatives."
1. Design inclusive learning spaces and implement engaging learning activities (Learning Space & Learning Activity)
"1. Foster collaboration with local residents and stakeholders to develop inclusive mechanisms that support Chiang Mai’s transformation into a Learning City. 2. Strengthen the city’s readiness for full integration into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, ensuring alignment with international frameworks. 3. Collect and analyze contextual data on Chiang Mai, providing a critical foundation for strategic planning and sustainable Learning City development. "
"Research Initiative for Advancing Chiang Mai as a UNESCO Learning City The implementation of the research project titled “Mechanisms for Driving Chiang Mai Toward Membership in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities” comprises two interconnected sub-projects: Sub-project 1: Development of mechanisms to promote the creative economy and urban ecosystem in Chiang Mai as foundational pillars of a Learning City. Sub-project 2: Strengthening Chiang Mai’s learning ecosystem to support lifelong learning across all communities. This integrated research initiative focuses on building strategic frameworks and participatory processes to align the city’s development with Learning City principles. In 2021–2022, Chiang Mai received research funding support from the Program Management Unit on Area-Based Development (PMU A) for two expert teams: The Chiang Mai University Center for Tourism Research and Development (CTRD), led by Dr. Sudarat Uttarat The Faculty of Architecture, Chiang Mai University, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sun Suwatcharapinan"
"Chiang Mai City Profile and Key Issues (2022) Environmental and Urban Challenges 1. Insufficient green spaces across the city, limiting public access to natural environments. A2. ir pollution from PM2.5 dust particles, which poses serious public health risks. 3. Rising urban heat, as Chiang Mai continues to face increasingly high temperatures. Social and Economic Issues 1. Food insecurity, affecting the stability and resilience of the city’s food systems. 2. The long-standing issue of Mae Kha Canal rehabilitation, with the question remaining: ""Who will be the generation to finally resolve it?"""
