Ratchu Vaan Surajaras Proposes Climate Adaptation for Bangkok

Ratchu Vaan Surajaras, a Thai landscape architect and urban designer, showcased his award-winning climate adaptation design for Bangkok, a megacity highly susceptible to flooding, during Design Indaba's Global Graduates programme. His initiative, titled 'Recharging Bangkok,' introduces urban systems that align with natural water cycles, focusing on flood management, ecological restoration, and community engagement. Surajaras pointed out that the city’s traditional canal systems and wetlands served as effective flood management networks until urban development interfered. The proposal envisions parks, waterways, and public areas designed to absorb, store, and redirect excess water during heavy rains, while also functioning as vibrant social hubs throughout the year. He illustrated how cities can shift from environmental vulnerability to resilience through diagrams, speculative models, and urban research.