Transit-induced Gentrification in Bangkok, Thailand: A Review

Abstract

As many of the developing megacities, Bangkok has also implemented a TOD system to tackle the increase of traffic congestion and the availability of transportation issues. However, the TOD projects in Bangkok are not supported by an appropriate provision in affordable housing. In recent years, as the improved accessibility and transit proximity are often capitalized into housing and land prices, it resulted in the low-income population displacement, a condition that refers to the term transit-induced gentrification. This paper uses Bangkok, Thailand, as a case study to review the impact of TOD especially in the displacement of populations. The review concludes that the gentrification in Bangkok is initiated by the increase of the value and rent price of the property due to the presence of the transit station. The case in Bangkok is one of the precedents that have a combination of characteristics from the early period and the latest period definition of gentrification. It has the characteristics that the case is concentrated in the city center and the subject is working class and wealthy residents, which from the early definition. While it still represents the characteristics of the latest definition, such as indirect and direct displacement that appear at the same time.