ReTrEAT Cities
CASE STUDY 1: THE BANG KHUN THIAN MANGROVE FOREST LEARNING CENTER
Located in the Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok, Thailand, is a key site for environmental education and mangrove conservation. The center features nature trails, educational exhibits, observation towers, and a visitor center equipped for workshops and seminars. It offers guided tours, workshops, volunteer programs, and research collaborations to promote the understanding and conservation of mangroves. By engaging local communities in sustainable practices and conservation activities, the center aims to enhance the resilience of the coastal area to climate change impacts while fostering environmental stewardship and sustainable livelihoods.
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Figure: Key Findings from Bang Khun Thian Mangrove Forest Learning Center (Source: Google Earth, Field Survey)
Our field visit provided a deeper understanding of the mangroves' essential roles in coastal protection, biodiversity support, and their responses to environmental changes. We gained insights into the effects of sea level rise on local communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems, highlighting critical areas, affected communities, and personal accounts from residents. Our observations at the mangrove center enriched this comprehensive overview of the region’s challenges and potential solutions.
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Figure: Local homestead, economic activities in local communities (Source: Field Survey)
En route to the center, small stalls run by women exemplify their resilience and ingenuity, playing a significant role in the regional economy. These stalls not only provide essential services to tourists and residents but also contribute to community development, cultural preservation, and economic opportunity. Through their businesses, these women enrich the community’s social fabric by fostering a welcoming atmosphere and sharing cultural knowledge, thus supporting future generations.
The Mangrove Center operates as a collaborative initiative involving the Bangkok Metropolitan Government, Thai Beverage, Thai Mall Centro, and the Municipal Government. It allows residents to use mangrove resources for non-economic purposes. The area attracts tourists and offers services like fishmongers and bicycle rentals. However, access is restricted to bicycles or scooters due to narrow roads, posing challenges for navigation. Local businesses, mainly run by middle-aged and elderly women, and residential structures built before conservation legislation underscore the area's struggle with inadequate infrastructure.
Our visit revealed that over 95% of the center's visitors are Burmese, mostly young men and women from the local area. These visitors express considerable concern about the impacts of rising sea levels on their communities and homes. Although they are aware of the issue, their understanding of the underlying causes and long-term effects of sea level rise is often limited, which can be attributed to insufficient climate change education.
Residents and tourists alike are aware of rising sea levels, but their understanding of their long-term impacts varies. Concerns include flooding and erosion disrupting their homes and livelihoods. Decisions to stay or migrate are influenced by familial ties, economic dependency, and limited relocation options. Many residents feel constrained by financial limitations and a lack of viable alternatives, though a strong sense of community attachment leads some to endure the challenges.