Having successfully attracted over 1,000 hightech companies, as well as the campus of Duke-Kunshan University—a prestigious international cooperation between Wuhan and Duke—it’s safe to say this strategy has paid off. Thanks to Professor Annemieke van den Dool for inviting Chris to visit this week.🔚

Much of this mobility infrastructure is interwoven with green and blue infrastructure, like the “Forest Living Corridor”—a 163 hectare ecological spine running through the centre of the city. These “sponge” elements restore the local biodiversity, and help deal with periods of intense heat and rain.

At the moment, cities across China are working tirelessly to attract new (foreign and domestic) business, talent, and tourists. In order to set itself apart from the competition, Kunshan has built and promoted over 100 kilometres of high-quality “slow travel” routes for transportation or recreation.

Full photo gallery of Rue du 22 Novembre in Strasbourg, which was reimagined as a car-free “living street” in 2019.

The curb was removed, and shade trees, rain gardens, benches, lighting, and terraces were added. Local deliveries by motor vehicle are permitted within specified hours: bit.ly/4jbMp4w

Check out the full gallery of photos from the project: www.archdaily.com/1020099/hop-...

Some more graphics outlining Bangkok-based landscape architecture firm Shma's vision for the pop-up park.

Its 20,000 plants are containerized, allowing for the park to be easily rearranged, moved, or deconstructed.

The park features multiple zones emphasizing wellness, edible plants, ecological diversity, and green air, among others.

Traversing the skywalk amidst scorching Bangkok heat can usually be uncomfortable, but I'm curious to see how the plantings paired with the shade structures improve the experience.

The heavily trafficked skywalk is adjacent to the Bangkok Art and Culture Center the National Stadium, MBK Center, Siam Square, and Siam Discovery malls, and Siam and National Stadium BTS Skytrain stations, in an area severely lacking green space and fully paved over.

Another fantastic green space on the Patumwan skywalk in Bangkok from last year: Hop Park, a pop-up park designed by Shma Company Limited.

In one of the world's most visited cities, where millions depend on the dispersion of an informal vending economy for their livelihood or their next meal, we cannot afford to consolidate vendors away from where the customers are.

- Nominating street food culture in Bangkok for UNESCO status*

- Build apprenticeship and incubation programs for street vendors

Excited to see that last year, @unesco.org listed Tom Yum Kung as part of Thailand’s intangible cultural heritage.

- Establishing a Tuk-Tuk culinary tourism program

- Launching a social media campaign to profile street food vendors

- Developing and promoting neighborhood food guides in collaboration with local NGOs

Some initial recommendations from my then-23-year-old self:

- Widening sidewalks

- Designating mixed-use areas for street food vending adjacent to key tourist attractions

- Allowing street food vending in proximity to hospitality and residential areas

We need an interdisciplinary approach—leveraging urban design, technology, and education—to sustain this vital part of Bangkok’s identity.

Authorities seem to believe vending and “civilized” streets can’t coexist, undervaluing its role for both locals and tourists. But as experts like Jorge Carrillo Rodriguez highlight, distributed street food networks near offices, transit hubs, and attractions affordably feed millions.

In 2023, I published my senior thesis on how Bangkok’s public policies shape food culture—particularly street food and culinary tourism. It’s disappointing to see little progress in addressing the challenges vendors face.

With some fantastic photos too, also by Jack Board @channelnewsasia.bsky.social