NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)
Publication Date
2022
Abstract
This article examines changes along Phra Athit Road in Rattanakosin's historic center. With the support of the state, a former commercial street became a "cultural quarter" and eventually a "cultural-creative cluster," with creative activities infiltrating the neighborhoods. For this study, the researcher conducted a field survey and interviewed creative entrepreneurs in four sub-districts. The Phra Athit Road social and cultural resources reflect the qualities or potential resources of traditional neighbourhoods that have fostered the development of creative clusters. "Urban culture” is one of the district's key cultural resources that is properly understood and utilized, and its complex network of creative people is a crucial social resource. These creative people are “outsiders” with strong relationships to “insiders”; some of them advocate a new way of living, while others comprise groups of intellectuals with creative economy talents and tasks. Cultural-creative clusters comprise more than people; they are typified by cafés and bars, exhibition spaces, and the production of creative products. These clusters may vary from one another in function and location, and newer clusters, less dense than the original, are less harmful to traditional communities and businesses. What they have in common is that they have enabled participants to gain real-life experiences and join distinctive activities customized by entrepreneurs. Still, those who use external resources to create goods and develop a creative cluster may endanger the very neighbourhoods where they take root. This article examines changes along Phra Athit Road in Rattanakosin's historic center. With the support of the state, a former commercial street became a "cultural quarter" and eventually a "cultural-creative cluster," with creative activities infiltrating the neighborhoods. For this study, the researcher conducted a field survey and interviewed creative entrepreneurs in four sub-districts. The Phra Athit Road social and cultural resources reflect the qualities or potential resources of traditional neighbourhoods that have fostered the development of creative clusters. "Urban culture” is one of the district's key cultural resources that is properly understood and utilized, and its complex network of creative people is a crucial social resource. These creative people are “outsiders” with strong relationships to “insiders”; some of them advocate a new way of living, while others comprise groups of intellectuals with creative economy talents and tasks. Cultural-creative clusters comprise more than people; they are typified by cafés and bars, exhibition spaces, and the production of creative products. These clusters may vary from one another in function and location, and newer clusters, less dense than the original, are less harmful to traditional communities and businesses. What they have in common is that they have enabled participants to gain real-life experiences and join distinctive activities customized by entrepreneurs. Still, those who use external resources to create goods and develop a creative cluster may endanger the very neighbourhoods where they take root.
DOI
10.54028/NJ202221220
First Page
1
Last Page
21
Recommended Citation
Issarathumnoon, Wimonrart
(2022)
"Understanding the Dynamic Creative Clustering in the Phra Athit Road Area of Bangkok,"
NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning): Vol. 21:
No.
3, Article 4.
DOI: 10.54028/NJ202221220
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/nakhara/vol21/iss3/4