Thammasat University (TU), through various research units and faculties, has actively engaged in planning and development collaborations with local authorities across several projects, often focusing on urban resilience, participatory processes, social housing, and support for vulnerable populations.
The Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Thammasat University, recognize the importance of how the quality, safety, and affordable housing are essential to having the healthy and sustainable communities. The University has established Universal Design Center (Thamamsat UDC – หน่วยวิจัยและออกแบบเพื่อคนทั้งมวล มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์) as a research and design center, working to address the needs for quality, safety, accessible, affordable and more efficient facilities, environment and housing for people in local community, especially for the elderly groups.
Universal Design Center – Housing for Elderly and People with Disabilities
Thammasat UDC, under the supervision of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Thammasat University started the projects to focus in the planning and development issues with local authorities and communities in 2013 and continued since then until the present.
UDTham – Universal Design – Research and Design Unit for All, Thammasat University (Facebook)
The center comprises of the working group from the Civil State Social Work Group on Housing and Ecosystem for Living. The main tasks are to build, repair, rebuild and improve housing facilities and public places for elderly population under the concept “One Province One Built”. The center also provide counseling and training on the design and improvement of housing to have a better quality, safer, more accessible, and more affordable for the elderly people and people with disabilities.
The Environmental Design Unit, a part of the Universal Design Center, Thammasat University (Thammast UDC) worked with local authorities and carried out the design, planning, and development of these projects to ensure that local residents are able to have the quality, accessible, affordable housing and healthy surrounding such as:
The Urban-Act: Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low-Carbon & Resilient Cities Project in Phuket involves the TU Research Unit in Urban Futures & Policy (UFP) from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning. This initiative aims to support sustainable low-carbon urban development and climate change resilience, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IK) via the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWN). The collaboration included the UFP team, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wijitbusaba Marom, conducting an initial project opening and a hazard and risk assessment workshop between October 28 and 30, 2024, during which they met with local agencies in the area, including the Director of the Foreign Affairs Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior.
Ladsawai City Medical Center
The Research Program on the Development of Mechanisms and Management Systems for Housing for All is an ongoing effort supported by the Program Management Unit for Area-Based Development (PMU-A/Bhor Por Tor). This research framework specifically addresses the development of housing management systems that align with urban contexts. The Research and Design Unit for All (UD-THAM) from TU’s Faculty of Architecture and Planning is a key driver of this work. On October 9, 2024, the team met with Lad Sawai Municipality in Pathum Thani to discuss the scope of the research, focusing on Moo 9 as a target area, and considering the feasibility of managing the municipal health center as a Daycare/Day Service facility for the elderly. Additionally, on October 25, 2024, the team, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Choomket Sawangjaroen, presented progress to Roi Et Municipality, including Mayor Banjong Kositjiranant and related officials, concerning the sub-project focusing on “The Development of Mechanisms and Management Systems for Housing for Low-Income Elderly that Aligns with the Context of the City or Community for Everyone”. The team, alongside officials from the Roi Et Municipal Education Office, community leaders, and Village Health Volunteers (VHV), also surveyed the Munkong Pattana community.
The Mayor of Ladsawai City, in collaboration with UDC and UD-THAM, visited the area to provide recommendations on the design of the new Ladsawai City Medical Center and discuss potential cooperation between Ladsawai City Municipality and Thammasat University.
Rural Sufficient Housing Project in Tambon Khlong Song
On August 17, 2023, the Thakhong Municipality Community Organization Council, in collaboration with network partners, including personel from Thammasat University’s Universal Design Research and Design Unit, conducted a field survey of 19 households in need under the “Rural Sufficient Housing Project in Tambon Khlong Song”. Following this survey, a committee will screen the households to determine eligibility for funding and then prepare to request the necessary budget from the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), a public organization.
Then, on September 7, 2023, at the Erawan Meeting Room, Learning and Public Park Center of Thakhong Municipality, the Mayor of Thakhong City assigned the Director of the Social Welfare Division, along with welfare staff and representatives from Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, to attend a meeting. The target participants were members of the community organization council in Thakhong City Municipality and network clubs. The meeting focused on reviewing the 2024 Integrated Community Project and the Rural Sufficient Housing Project in Tambon Khlong Song, covering 15 households. These initiatives aim to benefit residents in alignment with the target groups.
Urban Restoration Project in Huai Khwang Community
The Initial Feasibility Study for the Urban Restoration Project in Huai Khwang Community was executed by the Urban Futures & Policy research unit under the Thammasat University Research and Consultancy Institute (TU RAC). This project focused on urban planning, urban design, urban development, and social housing, emphasizing a participatory process to ensure resilient and inclusive cities. Two key workshops were held for representatives from the Huai Khwang community housing. The first workshop, held on June 18, 2023, involved 71 participants discussing trial scenarios for the future of the area, analyzing pros/cons, and prioritizing essential components for the community. The second workshop, held on September 10, 2023, gathered over 73 local representatives to present and jointly design restoration guidelines using area plans derived from previous brainstorming and analyzing social, financial, real estate, and basic legal dimensions.
100,000 Baht UD Housing Project
In collaboration with Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus, Ladsawai Municipality launched the “100,000 Baht UD House” initiative, aiming to provide affordable, accessible housing when repairs are not feasible. The project adopted a modular, compact house concept that meets Universal Design (UD) principles, creating a small, efficient home with a budget of 100,000 baht, ensuring a high quality of living.
The 100,000 Baht Universal Design (UD) Housing (Baan Saen Yu Dee No. 04) is a specific implementation project resulting from a collaboration between Lad Sawai Municipality, Thammasat University, and SSS (Thai Health Promotion Foundation is implied in the source’s use of ‘สสส.’). This initiative focuses on utilizing a modular compact house concept, designed according to UD principles, to provide affordable housing at a budget of 100,000 Baht for cases where repair is impractical. A key case study involved the home of a bedridden elderly person (Mr. Ngern) in Moo 8, Lad Sawai Subdistrict, Pathum Thani, selected because the local community demonstrated readiness in terms of leadership, data availability, and community strength. Beyond physical modifications, the local municipal authorities (Deputy Mayor of Lad Sawai) ensured that continuous Care Givers (CG) were assigned to the resident.
The first selected household is at 25/21, Village No. 8, Ladsawai Subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani. This selection is part of a broader program to improve living conditions and accessibility for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Selection criteria prioritized:
1. Community readiness across three areas: supportive leadership, available data, and a resilient local community.
2. The household has elderly and disabled residents facing poverty, severe housing deterioration beyond repair, and a good standing in the community.
This initiative represents an impactful, research-driven solution to serve the local community, enhancing safety, accessibility, and quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Other projects and initiatives
In other area development collaborations, the Thammasat Design School (TDS) submitted a Community Urban Model and Land Use Model for Tha Ruea Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, to the Director of the Technical Division of Tha Ruea Subdistrict Municipality on December 25, 2024. These models, developed by third-year undergraduate students in the Urban Environmental Planning and Development curriculum, are intended for use by the local authority for social services purposes.
Furthermore, TU’s Research and Design Unit for All (UD-THAM) and Thammasat UDC completed a project for the Learning Center for Innovation, Technology, and Facilities for Persons with Disabilities in Prachinburi Province, delivering the work to the Prachinburi Provincial Disability Service Center on September 26, 2024. The unit also partnered with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP/Phor Kor) to organize a Training Course for Basic Level Assistant Caregivers for Persons with Disabilities in Lopburi Province, starting in November 2024. This collaboration with the Lopburi Provincial Social Development and Human Security Officer and local staff aims to increase the number of qualified assistants in the Lopburi Self-Help Settlement area to improve the quality of life for 60 target individuals.
Another long term support is the local economic development through the “Community Friends Association-Thammasat Model”. This collaboration, which utilizes professors and students from the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, aims to foster a sustainable grassroots economy and reduce inequality by elevating the potential and standardizing the products of community enterprises, while also expanding market opportunities. Since its inception in 2016, the program has grown, reaching its 8th iteration in 2023 and having worked with a total of 58 groups. Starting in 2023, the eighth model focused on seven selected community enterprise groups located within the Map Ta Phut complex area, including groups based in municipalities such as Tha Phap, Ban Chang, Mab Kha Phatthana, and Nen Phra. The collaboration activities include conducting research, providing training and knowledge transfer, applying innovation (such as developing new products like crispy corn snacks or turning residual dessert ingredients into ice cream), improving packaging, analyzing costs, and expanding sales channels, all while preparing groups for quality certifications like FDA standards.
