Thailand’s Anti-Flood Park

An architectural model from Thailand is being suggested as a possible solution for Mumbai’s flood problem in light of rising sea levels.

• Kotchakorn Voraakhom:

Kotchakorn Voraakhom is a Thai architect who is credited for coming up with the anti-flooding architectural model. She and her firm Landprocess is known for promoting ‘mindful development over mindless construction’. Her ideas are significant in light of Thailand’s vulnerability to inundation. Eg: 2011 floods.

• Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park:

The Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park in Bangkok is one of the works of Voraakhom. It is an 11 acre anti-flood park that is built in an inclined manner. The park is inclined downwards at an angle of 3 degrees. This allows the rainwater to flow through absorptive wetlands and grasses. The unabsorbed water is collected at the bottom of the incline in a pond which is filtered and stored for use during dry spells. During severe flooding, the structure can hold a million gallon of water.

• ‘Kaem Ling’ Concept:

The concept of ‘Kaem Ling’ is the inspiration for Voraakhom’s anti-flood park in Bangkok. The term means ‘monkey’s cheek’- in reference to how monkeys store bananas in their cheek for eating them later. It was introduced by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a flood control measure.