It has been nine years since Bangkok last elected a governor. Finally, the long-awaited vote is expected in May this year. The outcome will determine future policies, management and the growth of the city.
Yet, from the property and urban development perspective, there are a series of improvements or changes we wish to see happen sooner rather than later, all having to do with improving Bangkok residents' quality of life.
Let's start with the infrastructure network and transport. The network, connection and fares are the key factors to increase mass transit ridership. The network -- both new roads and new train lines -- has been growing well across the city.
However, there have been concerns about mass transit fares that could cost as much as 200 baht per round trip per day, representing most of the earnings of citizens with modest incomes. Negotiations between the governing body and the operators, and probably subsidies, will be needed to lower fares, helping to make daily commutes affordable for more passengers.
As the network expands with various operators, smoother and more harmonised transitions between different lines will also be needed to create maximum efficiency and better travel experiences.
Where mass transit lines are concerned, there has been a lot of discussion about Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in recent years but not a lot has actually happened. With the completion of Bang Sue Grand Station and new interchange stations across Bangkok, there is potential to develop TOD projects with the right incentives and collaborative approaches.
The Osaka Station in Japan has been the poster child for TOD that Thailand wants to imitate but nothing has come close to that so far -- only a series of standalone buildings surrounding the interchange stations with little synergy. TOD, if done correctly, can help create new nodes for real estate development and also promote public transport over car use.
There are a lot more basic requirements that will directly affect the quality of life of the people. For example, there has been a growing social movement to improve pedestrian crossings and the laws related to them -- and to actually enforce those laws -- to be more pedestrian-friendly.
Moving telephone and electricity wires underground has proceeded very slowly and involves multiple agencies, but if done properly, it will allow trees to flourish alongside roads instead of being cut down as is often the case now.
Skywalks and minesweeper-like pedestrian walkways or footpaths that seem to be less and less friendly to walk on every day, causing people to look at the ground instead of looking up and ahead, also require urgent and committed improvement.
Functional pocket parks that focus on daily use for the community rather than as one-time attractions would increase the liveability of neighbourhoods, utilising the vacant pieces of land that are scattered around Bangkok. Cleanliness of the city, quality and hygiene of food, air and water in every aspect should be improved.
The amendment of obsolete laws and regulations as well as fair and consistent enforcement, especially of laws related to the environment and sustainability, should also be taken more seriously.
We are still so far from Bangkok's motto of "built by the angels" but there are ways to get there and the new election in May could be the start of that. Yet, what will be promised is one thing; executing it after getting elected is a totally different story.
Patchaya Potiratsombat is an analyst at Research and Consulting, CBRE Thailand. She can be reached at bangkok@cbre.co.th
