11.4.7 Local authority collaboration regarding planning and development

In 2025, the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), collaborated with the Community Organizations Development Institute (Public Organization), or CODI, under the supervision of the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, and with the local authority, the Huai Khwang District Office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), to support participatory urban development and community housing planning, with a focus on helping local residents access affordable housing. The partnership combined student development, internships, and joint advisory activities to connect sociological knowledge with local housing needs.

The fieldwork took place in the Rong Poon Nuea–Tai community in Huai Khwang District, Bangkok. The Huai Khwang District Office, the local authority for the area, worked with SWU throughout the activity. The district office linked SWU with community data, coordinated with the community, and allowed the activities to use the community’s pre-school child development centre, a facility of the district office shown below. After the fieldwork, the household survey results were passed to the district office for its further use.

Students conducted household surveys to identify residents’ difficulties, population numbers, occupations, monthly household incomes, and pet ownership. The information was compiled to support an understanding of community needs and inform discussions on planning issues for housing and neighbourhood development.

Household income data also supported consideration of affordable monthly contributions to community cooperative savings, helping local residents explore financial preparation for future housing that they can afford. Students additionally reflected on the strengths and challenges of fieldwork and data collection to improve their community engagement skills.

Through this collaboration with CODI and the local authority, SWU contributed academic expertise and community-level information to support inclusive planning and development, with attention to residents’ livelihoods, financial capacity, and access to affordable housing.