CU Centennial Park will ready to use by this June

Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s oldest university has celebrated its 100^th establishment by opening the Chamchuree Park 100 Years as a return to the society.

“One goal of Chula is to be a green university,” said Prof.Pirom Kamolratanakul, President of Chulalongkorn University.

In 2015, Chula was ranked by UI GreenMetric World University Ranking as the number one green university in Thailand and the fourth among the City Center University in the world.

Chamchuree Park 100 Years is 30-Rai park located at Suanluang-Samyan area; formerly known as one of the famous food hubs in Bangkok. According to Assoc. Prof. Permyot Kesolbhand, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, this piece of land was given by King Rama VI according to King Rama V’s wish to be a learning center and a giving back to the society. The park also supports the University’s plan to develop the land for social and environmental benefits.

On March 26, the university’s Foundation Day, HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Princess has planted 6 Chamchuree saplings breed from the Chamchuree seeds that the late King planted in 1962. This green area is located at Soi 9, Banthat Thong Road, which connects green areas from the east side (CU Auditorium) to the west side (Suanluang-Samyan areas) as referring to the university’s blue print.

Moreover, the ‘Chula 100 Years road’ (Chula Soi 4), that is under construction, will become a slow traffic road that connects Pra Ram I and Pra Ram VI road; which suitable for pedestrians, bicycle riders, and public transportation. Adjoining with the new commercial space for startup businesses called Samyan Mitr Town. The area will involve shopping mall, office space and a 554-room condominium at Samyan’s Southern end as refer to BK.

Chamchuree Park is the designed by architectural studio Landprocess as a core to transform the life within Samyan neighborhood into a sustainable spot for every generation. The park is conceived as a water treatment showcase for commoners to collect and clean wastewater from nearby buildings.

The structure is tilted to one side to accumulate rain, similarly to Kaem-Ling project, and connects to the zero-discharge area, where there will be a wetland to recycle the water and a tank to collect it for future use. This water may be used to plant trees and support an eco-system in the city.

“Our concept was to look at future of Bangkok and the world in the next 100 years—and the challenges we will confront, such as climate change—and then reassess the role Chulalongkorn will play in this future,” said by Kotchakorn Voraakon, the Landprocess founder.

Furthermore, for educational features, Chamchuree Park 100 Years will have a building for exhibitions, classrooms for recreational activities, and interactive virtual museum for lifelike exhibits in the main hall. According to TimeOut, public events organized in the park will be associated with the university’s research agenda, such as smart/inclusive society, food security, aging, and digital/robotics.

Top of the building will be thatch with the green roof to reduce heat and blend in with the beautiful scenery. There will also be various local plants and trees along with shrubs, groundcovers, and water-plants. Underneath the park will include 200 parking spaces for visitors.

As a multi-purpose public space, this park will become new lung of the city and a learning center between students and communities, men and environment and also advisable for the disabilities.

“The park is in the maintenance process and will be officially opened this June,” said Asst. Prof. Jittisak Thammapornpilas, an assistant to the President for Property Management.