Chiang Mai University actively collaborates with Chiang Mai Municipality and regional planning authorities to address critical urban development challenges and ensure accessible affordable housing for local communities. Through integrated urban planning initiatives, the university contributes expertise in sustainable urbanization, city infrastructure design, and inclusive housing policy development.
The partnership addresses housing affordability through comprehensive planning strategies that balance urban development with community needs. University research teams work directly with local government planners to analyze housing market dynamics, urban poverty indicators, and infrastructure requirements. This collaboration supports evidence-based policy formulation for sustainable cities that prioritize walkability, public transport integration, and green spaces within residential developments.
Joint working groups focus on disaster risk reduction planning, ensuring urban resilience in new housing projects. The university provides technical guidance on sustainable architecture, green buildings standards, and compact city design principles that minimize urban heat island effects while maximizing livability. Planning workshops engage community stakeholders to incorporate local perspectives into development frameworks.
Through this sustained local authority collaboration, the university ensures that urban development planning integrates affordable housing solutions, sustainable transportation networks, and inclusive urban design. The partnership demonstrates commitment to creating resilient, sustainable human settlements that serve all community members, particularly those requiring accessible, affordable accommodation within well-planned urban environments.
The document from Chiang Mai Municipality shows collaboration with Chiang Mai University in urban and land-use planning, addressing local planning and development issues. CMU contributes academic expertise and spatial data to support sustainable city development, zoning management, and community well-being. This partnership demonstrates the university’s role in working with local authorities to promote inclusive urban growth and affordable housing accessibility, aligning with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Chiang Mai University collaborated with Local Entity, Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI)
[Northern Regional Office]
On August 25, 2025, the Faculty of Architecture at Chiang Mai University (CMU), in collaboration with the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI), advanced collaborative planning and development to improve access to affordable housing for low-income residents. The initiative integrates academic expertise with practical community-based experience to address local housing challenges and support sustainable community development.
Building on previous collaborative initiatives, including the Housing Design Project for the Mae Kha Canal Community and the establishment of a working group comprising academic institutions in Northern Thailand, this partnership promotes cooperation among academic institutions, government agencies, and local communities. Through knowledge exchange and coordinated planning, the collaboration seeks to develop practical housing solutions that respond to local needs, strengthen community well-being, and support more inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Achievement Workflow
The achievement workflow illustrates how collaboration between Chiang Mai University (CMU), Chiang Mai Municipality, and Regional Planning Authorities has contributed to improving housing conditions and the quality of life for communities along Khlong Mae Kha and its tributaries. The CMU research team analyzed housing market dynamics, urban poverty indicators, and infrastructure requirements to identify key challenges and develop appropriate solutions. The project covers 20 communities along five canals across nine zones, spanning approximately 11 kilometers.
The initiative primarily benefits approximately 2,169 low-income canal-side households, many of whom face insecure land tenure, inadequate housing, and insufficient wastewater management. Following the project's implementation, significant improvements have been achieved, including the reconstruction of 1,524 houses on their existing sites, the provision of 650 apartment-style units and 50 temporary housing units, and the development of 10.6 kilometers of public spaces and landscaped areas along both canal banks. Additionally, 18 neighborhood wastewater treatment points have been established, alongside the restoration of the historic earthen city wall.
Beyond improving the area's physical appearance and environmental conditions, the project supports more secure housing arrangements through housing cooperatives and longer-term leases. These improvements help create a more livable and inclusive community while providing local residents with better opportunities to sustain their livelihoods, including operating small businesses. Overall, the initiative demonstrates how collaborative planning and research can generate lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits for local communities.
Sources:
- ผังและแผนแม่บทการพัฒนาที่อยู่อาศัยพื้นที่ริมคลองแม่ข่าและลำน้ำสาขา (ฉบับย่อ)
- Chiang Mai University (2025) CMU Faculty of Architecture and CODI Sign MOU to Address Community Housing Issues 25 August