Urban Forums

Urban Forums are loosely organized entities promoting civic engagement enabling stakeholders involved in urban development - common citizens, civic society actors, the private sector and local government officials alike - to discuss urban issues at the sub-local, local, regional and national level, arrive at a common vision for the city through participatory and strategic planning processes and develop action plans to achieve this vision. As of such, Urban Forums are instrumental to achieve sustainable and effective socio-economic and environmental development of urban areas. In recent years, ESCAP has assisted several cities and countries in Asia and the Pacific in initiating and supporting Urban Forums. In Thailand, some 15 Urban Forums are actively promoting civic engagement in different areas of participatory urban development (amongst others improving the quality of life and awareness raising on environmental and public health issues.). The activities of these Forums range from public gatherings, organizing workshops, seminars and conferences to information dissemination, social animation and research. Regular activities of some of the Thai Urban Forums are described below.

Created in 1992, Bangkok Forum is one of the most professionally operating Urban Forums in Thailand serving as a catalysator within the Urban Forum Movement. It’s activities are aimed at creating awareness on the necessity of decentralization of political and administrative power as well as of restructuring and reforming Bangkok’s bureaucratic local government system to make Thailand more democratic, promote public participation in public affairs and restore a sense of community among the residents of Bangkok. Besides, Bangkok Forum tries to humanize Bangkok through conserving and restoring neighbourhoods and communities and improving the aesthetics of city life and the management of the urban environment and geography.

Songkhla Forum - located in South Thailand and created in 1993 - organizes monthly forums to discuss and exchange knowledge, ideas and experience on hot and interesting issues as well as regular seminars and workshops. Issues at stake are the new constitution, the promotion of public awareness and public support of the principles of participatory democracy, the role of local government, teamwork, creativity and social change. In addition, Songkhla Forum organizes activities for civic groups to enable them to learn from each other. These activities include a Learning Festival and a Walking Tour. Besides, Songkhla Forum has its own daily and weekly radio programme in which prevailing urban issues (e.g. effects of the economic crisis, environmental problems etc.) are discussed. In the near future, Songkhla Forum is planning to organize local mass media to work together for Civil Society and to build up a centre of communication.

Nakhon Forum - the Urban Forum of Nakhon Si Thammarat - is located in South Thailand and was created in 1995. It’s activities focus on improving urban living and livelihood through igniting thoughts and ideas related to urban planning and management, environmental issues (e.g. cleaning the city canals and improving the landscape along the canals) and the conservation of the cultural and historical heritage of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The ultimate goal of the Forum’s activities is to develop the city in such a way that it is pleasant and healthy to live in - economically, socially and spriritually sound - with active civic participation in city governance.

Prachacom Muang Condee Committee - the Urban Forum of Surathani - is located in the South of Thailand and was created in 1997. This committee tries to achieve systematic and sustainable development through people’s participation and encouragement of urban partnerships. The ultimate aim is to improve the economic, cultural and environmental quality of city life in order to make it more human.

Korat Forum - located in Northeast Thailand and created in 1998 - focuses its activities on enhancing greater public awareness of the principles of participatory democracy, making Korat a more healthy, liveable and friendly city and achieving an environmental, social and cultural balance for all citizens. Issues at stake are preservation of the cultural heritage (conservation of monuments), slum upgrading and taking care of elderly people. The forum has organized a Future Search Conference from 19 to 21 February 1999 (see attached pictures) during which future activities and strategies have been agreed upon.

Rakpaknampo Forum - the Urban Forum of Nakhon Sawan - is located in the northern part of Central Thailand and was created in 1996. It organizes activities that are focused on informing the citizens of Nakhon Sawan on issues related to the concept of a Local Change Agent, decentralization, education reform, public health and the environment. Future activities of Rakpaknampo Forum will concentrate on the planned set-up of a co-operative research network for Nakhon Sawan province and on efforts to substantialize the healthy city concept.

The Campaign Committee for Local Authority - the Urban Forum of Chiang Mai - is located in North Thailand and was created in 1993. The Committee strives to promote local empowerment for local autonomy (decentralization), social mobilization for a reorientation of focus in local politics and participatory good governance. Activities to reach this aim include civic education (participatory learning through edutainment; a combination of education and entertainment), local-local community dialogue to identify and resolve community problems, a healthy city programme and a civic movement for an elected governor of Chiang Mai.

Indo-China Intersection Forum - the Urban Forum of Phitsanulok - is located in North Thailand and was created in 1997. The Forum’s activities are geared towards participation in local development, optimal environment (no pollution) and a good as well as healthy public life. These include a garden city project, a health promotion programme (focusing on healthy food and products), an energy minimising project and a community and school based education reform project.