Asean Museum Forum 2024

In the evolving landscape of urban regeneration, digital technology has emerged as a powerful tool to engage and inspire local communities. This presentation will explore how digital innovations, specifically in art installations, have revitalized Pak Khlong Talat (Bangkok Flower Market) and empowered local vendors to adapt and thrive without relying on government subsidies. Through the lens of work conducted in Pak Khlong Talat, the impact of digital engagement on local communities will be demonstrated. Digital art installations have attracted a significant influx of younger generations to the market during and after the festival. This increased foot traffic has inspired local vendors to adapt their shops and sales strategies, recognizing the substantial benefits brought by the festival's use of digital technology. This visibility and direct experience of the positive impact have led to organic and sustainable economic development, as vendors see firsthand how such technological interventions can draw large groups of customers and drive business growth. This shift highlights the empowering potential of technology when appropriately scaled to community needs. However, it is crucial to recognize that excessively advanced technologies can alienate local participants. In some instances, the complexity of the technology led to avoidance or feigned ignorance among locals, hindering their active participation in urban rehabilitation projects. This underscores the importance of ensuring that technological interventions are accessible and aligned with the community's capabilities and interests.

The case study of Pak Khlong Talat also illustrates the challenges associated with gentrification. While digital interventions have revitalized the market and attracted new customer groups, these changes risk displacing long-standing vendors and eroding the market's traditional character. The influx of wealthier visitors and rising property values can lead to social tensions and disrupt the existing community dynamics. This discussion aims to provide insights into both the successes and challenges of integrating digital technology into community engagement initiatives. By focusing on appropriate and context-sensitive digital interventions, it is possible to foster a collaborative atmosphere that enhances both the aesthetic and economic vitality of urban spaces. This approach not only revitalizes markets like Pak Khlong Talat but also preserves their unique cultural heritage while promoting innovation. The insights from this presentation aim to contribute to a broader understanding of how digital engagement can be leveraged to inspire and empower local communities, ensuring sustainable and inclusive urban development.


			Presenter	Asst. Prof. Supitcha Tovivich, Ph.D.
			E-Mail	supitcha.tovivich@gmail.com
			Affiliation	Faculty of Architecture, Silapakorn University
			Contributors	-
			Date/Time	13-09-2024 / 15:00-16:30 hrs.
			Room	LE CONCORDE BALLROOM

Presentation Title	Digital Engagement in Community Empowerment: Case Study of Pak Khlong Talat
Abstract	In the evolving landscape of urban regeneration, digital technology has emerged as a powerful tool to engage and inspire local communities. This presentation will explore how digital innovations, specifically in art installations, have revitalized Pak Khlong Talat (Bangkok Flower Market) and empowered local vendors to adapt and thrive without relying on government subsidies. Through the lens of work conducted in Pak Khlong Talat, the impact of digital engagement on local communities will be demonstrated. Digital art installations have attracted a significant influx of younger generations to the market during and after the festival. This increased foot traffic has inspired local vendors to adapt their shops and sales strategies, recognizing the substantial benefits brought by the festival's use of digital technology. This visibility and direct experience of the positive impact have led to organic and sustainable economic development, as vendors see firsthand how such technological interventions can draw large groups of customers and drive business growth. This shift highlights the empowering potential of technology when appropriately scaled to community needs. However, it is crucial to recognize that excessively advanced technologies can alienate local participants. In some instances, the complexity of the technology led to avoidance or feigned ignorance among locals, hindering their active participation in urban rehabilitation projects. This underscores the importance of ensuring that technological interventions are accessible and aligned with the community's capabilities and interests. The case study of Pak Khlong Talat also illustrates the challenges associated with gentrification. While digital interventions have revitalized the market and attracted new customer groups, these changes risk displacing long-standing vendors and eroding the market's traditional character. The influx of wealthier visitors and rising property values can lead to social tensions and disrupt the existing community dynamics. This discussion aims to provide insights into both the successes and challenges of integrating digital technology into community engagement initiatives. By focusing on appropriate and context-sensitive digital interventions, it is possible to foster a collaborative atmosphere that enhances both the aesthetic and economic vitality of urban spaces. This approach not only revitalizes markets like Pak Khlong Talat but also preserves their unique cultural heritage while promoting innovation. The insights from this presentation aim to contribute to a broader understanding of how digital engagement can be leveraged to inspire and empower local communities, ensuring sustainable and inclusive urban development.
Biography	Supitcha Tovivich has been a full-time Lecturer at Silpakorn University's Faculty of Architecture since 2003. She holds a Ph.D. from Bartlett DPU, University College London, and an M.A. from Oxford Brookes University. She served as Head of the Department of Architecture (2015-2018). Supitcha chaired the Committee of Community Act Network (2016-2018) under the Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) and was Editor in Chief of ASA Journal and ASA CREW (2013-2020). She received the UK Alumni Culture and Creativity Winner Award for Thailand in 2022. Her expertise includes participatory placemaking, community empowerment, and tactical urbanism.