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 – What is it?
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:
Ladsawai City Medical Center
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.
100,000 Baht UD Housing Project
แนวคิด modular compact house สร้างสรรค์ งานวิจัยเพื่อรับใช้ท้องถิ่นสังคม (Aug,2023)
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 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.
Previous On-going Projects since 2022:
The renovation of housing and surrounding area for the elderly and people with disabilities in Lad-Sawai Municipality, Pathum Thani Province
Design and Improve the Surrounding for Elderly People – ปรับบ้านผู้สูงอายุคนพิการรายได้น้อย
Collaboration with Lad-Sawai Municipality (27 Oct 2022)
Lad-Sawai Municipality – Housing Renovation (Oct,2022-Jan,2023)
The renovation of housing and surrounding areas for elderly and people with disabilities in Roi-et Municipality, Roi-et Province
Roi-et Municipality – Community Health Project for Elderly (Nov,2022)
Roi-et Municipality – Community Health Project for Elderly (Dec,2022)
Housing improvements and area development – road surface and lighting system – for Tha Khlong Municipality, Pathum Thani Province
Tha Khlong Municipality – Home and Surrounding Renovation for the Elderly (Jul,2022)
The renovation of buildings and housing for the elderly community in the Phakdi Racha community (Rangsi-Nakorn Nayok 45).
ออกแบบสภาพแวดล้อมชุมชนผู้สูงอายุ พี้นที่เทศบาลนครรังสิต – Rangsit Municipality
Using the study done under the research project “Healthier and More Suitable Environment for Thai Elderly”, the UDTham’s team worked with the Rangsit Municipality to make those housings more suitable for them, both physically and mentally. Together with the supporting budget from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), a more affordable option is provided for the elderly in that area to have a more happy and healthy life.
- Workshop on home improvement for low-income senior citizens
- Online seminar on “Enhance housing and environment for immobilized home patient or bedridden elderly and equip with dangers prevention.
Previous project done in 2021:
The Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Thammasat University together with Rajamangala University of Technology Suvarnabhumi conducted a survey around the corporative housing area and community service buildings in Bang Pho Subdistrict to explore the ways to improve the quality, accessibility and safety in living and working around those areas.
ปรับปรุงอาคาร ที่อยู่อาศัยผู้สูงอายุ ตำบลบางพูด
Related articles and websites:
1. Innovation Towards Sustainable Community Health (Rangsit Model) – สานพลัง สร้างนวัตกรรม สู่สุขภาวะชุมชนที่ยั่งยืน
2. Thammasat University’s smart city develops tech to serve the community – THE Research Hub
3. Thammasat Won the World Championship Universal Design Competition with the Development of the “Rangsit Model”
4. Thammasat Rangsit Model – Winner of Universal Design Competition
5. การเสวนา “การพัฒนาสภาพแวดล้อมเพื่อรองรับสังคมผู้สูงอายุในประเทศไทย
6. Right to Live in the City
7. ชุมชนริมทางรถไฟกับสิทธิที่จะมีอยู่อาศัยในเมือง
