"Bangkok: A Dynamic Capital Embracing Lifelong Learning Bangkok, officially known as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, is the capital and the cultural, educational, and economic hub of Thailand. With a population exceeding 10 million, Bangkok is a city rich in cultural diversity and historical depth. On February 14, 2024, UNESCO officially recognized Bangkok as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). This designation affirms the city’s strong commitment to promoting lifelong learning for all citizens. Following this recognition, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has launched various initiatives to foster reading and learning, including the “Bangkok Reading and Learning Festival”, held from March to April 2024. These activities reflect the city’s strategic vision of cultivating a sustainable learning society. In addition, Bangkok is prioritizing the development of accessible learning spaces for people of all backgrounds, ensuring inclusive and equitable educational opportunities across the city. UNESCO’s recognition serves as a catalyst for the city to further advance its policies and programs supporting lifelong learning, reinforcing Bangkok’s role as a leading Learning City in the region."
"Project Implementation Areas 1. Bangkok Metropolitan Area – including communities and neighborhoods such as: Thewet Community Saphan Khao Market District Nang Loeng Market District Bobae Market District Yotse Area Wongwian 22 Circle Area Talad Noi (Little Market) Neighborhood 2. Bangkok (Kadeejeen – Khlong San District) – a historic multicultural riverside community 3. Bangkok (Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Canal Zone) – an urban canal area serving as a cultural and learning corridor"
"Key Challenges: Revitalizing the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Learning Area The Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem area is a historic and traditional economic district of Bangkok, known for its diversity in physical layout, cultural heritage, economic activity, community networks, and local knowledge. It spans six administrative districts: Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Pathum Wan, Samphanthawong, and Bang Rak. Over time, urban development and modernization have led to the marginalization of this area. Traditional learning spaces have disappeared, and local wisdom and cultural practices have gradually faded, primarily due to a decline in intergenerational knowledge transmission. Economic and physical development has also slowed, as the area has been reduced to a mere transit zone between Bangkok’s historic core and its central business district (CBD). Recognizing the strategic value of this area, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has initiated a multi-dimensional revitalization policy for Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, focusing on: Structural development – urban landscape enhancement and improved transportation infrastructure Economic revitalization – reactivation of local commerce through the Khlong Phadung Market Human-centered development – cultivating creative districts and inclusive cultural spaces The goals of this localized development include: - Establishing a sustainable community-based framework for development - Facilitating knowledge transfer between the public sector, communities, and private stakeholders - Promoting cross-sectoral collaboration and community-to-community learning - Ensuring active participation of local networks through inclusive governance - Integrating this area into broader city-wide strategies via Bangkok’s Quadripartite Mechanism, the Urban Classroom and Living Lab, city intelligence platforms, and a centralized Project Bank"
"Strategic Procedures for Advancing Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem as an Urban Learning Zone 1. Develop inclusive and accessible learning spaces to support community-based education. 2. Establish localized mechanisms for multi-stakeholder collaboration, engaging public, private, academic, and civic sectors. 3. Create pilot models of Living Labs, serving as real-world research environments for urban learning and innovation. 4. Promote participatory policy-making, enabling citizens to engage in decision-making related to public budgeting and access to government project data in the area. 5. Design participatory budgeting processes and strengthen coordination between government agencies, private entities, civil society, and educational institutions around Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. 6. Generate, exchange, and transfer knowledge, while establishing Urban Learning Spaces (ULS) as model areas for lifelong learning in the city. 7. Develop an integrated urban data management system, including community-collected city data and a centralized project data bank. These actions are driven through five key missions: - City Data and Project Bank - Learning Hubs and Knowledge Centers (Learning Hub/ศูนย์การเรียนรู้) - Localized Policy and Stakeholder Collaboration Networks - Urban Classrooms and Living Labs - Participatory Budgeting and City Forum"
"Key Learning Programs 1. Area-Based Education (Local Study) – Exploring urban dynamics through participatory models such as Urban Classrooms and Living Labs 2. Participatory Learning Approaches – Incorporating methods like Gamification and Design Thinking 3. Urban Learning Spaces / City Learning Centers "
"Operational Mechanisms 1. Urban Classroom & Living Lab – Transforming city spaces into learning environments for studying urban issues and co-designing innovative solutions through hands-on, real-world engagement. 2. Participatory Tools and Platforms – Utilizing forums, hackathons, and participatory budgeting (PB) design workshops to co-create urban policies and community-based development projects. 3. City Project Bank – Establishing a centralized database of urban development ideas and projects, enabling transparent planning, knowledge sharing, and collaborative implementation. "
"City Profile: Bangkok City Name: Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon) Status: Capital of Thailand Area: Approximately 1,569 square kilometers Population: Approximately 5.47 million residents (registered population as of 2023) Language: Thai (English is used in certain districts and institutions) Religion: Predominantly Buddhist (over 90%) Key Learning Resources and Institutions 1. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) – A major hub for contemporary art, culture, and public learning. 2. Thailand Knowledge Park (TK Park) – A national-level learning center promoting digital literacy, reading, and lifelong learning. 3. Bangkok City Library – A central urban library offering inclusive access to knowledge and community learning activities. 4. Puey Ungphakorn Centenary Learning Park – A multidisciplinary learning space promoting democratic values and civic education. 5. Urban Learning Parks and Co-Learning Spaces – Distributed across the city to encourage accessible, informal, and community-driven learning."
