Challenges of urban forest park restoration on post-closure landfill : perception and future engagement from the local communities

Abstract

Urban forest park development is considered a promising planning tool in tackling some of the problems associated with urbanisation, such as pollution and urban heat island effects. Individual perceptions are pivotal in the urban forest park development. Their significant factors were aimed to address the community's needs and increase the recognition through the disruptive change of land function and urban living toward urban forest park development. The framework of local community engagement in urban forest park development was proposed. Field observation and questionnaires survey of 168 respondents were selected from five villages located 50 meters-1000 meters radius from the site. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 key stakeholders who had roles and responsibilities involving the project of ecological restoration on the On-Nut post-closure landfill. The former and current village chiefs, Prawet district government, non-government organizations, and a state enterprise were collected. Referring to the urban forest development on the post-closure landfill, the perception of communities through their needs was significantly found both negative and positive impacts. The study assessed the local needs which were socioeconomic, and environmental quality affected by the urban ecological restoration. Only occupation, and income were significant adverse impacts caused by the urban forest development. To develop the urban forest on the landfill, the study showed project framework development process should the concerns on sources of incomes interrupted by the project replacement. Moreover, the study referring to the concerns to develop the pre-construction of project, the well-being focussing on local occupation and incomes should be included in the target setting. Challenges of sense of ownership and local community awareness on the Green Bangkok 2030 were stated by stakeholder; therefore, they should be integrated into the key steps of engagement framework development. The study found that there were six steps based on the community perception on the urban forest development: (1) well-being and environment service goals, (2) assessing the community needs leaned from other urban forest models, (3) assessing existing conditions, not only the environmental quality, but also vulnerable socioenconomic aspects, (4) addressing the challenges such as the ownership and awareness, (5) generating the feedbacks, and (6) evaluating the obtained feedbacks and setting new goals. The benefits of these steps can lead to the implementation of engagement of sustainable development.