A Study of Factors that Affect the Development of the Forms of Land use and Open Space in Yantakhao, Trang Province

Abstract

This study of factors impacting the character pattern of land uses and open space in the municipality of Yantakhao, Trang province, aims to investigate various factors that contribute to the development of land uses and open spaces in different timeframe. Also, this study aims to establish the relationship between the developments of land uses and analyse the patterns of open spaces that were occurred because of many factors. The study consists of five period: pre-1956; 1956-1975; 1976-1995; 1996-2015; and 2016- present. The study analyses data collected from old photos, maps, textbooks, documents, aerial photos, field survey, and interview with key informants.

The study find that there are five factors that contribute to land uses and open spaces in the municipality of Yantakhao, Trang province: which are (1) demographic changes; (2) local development policy; (3) economic factor; (4) geographic factor; and (5) social and cultural contributions. Moreover, the open spaces can be categoried in five groups: which are, (1) open spaces around agricultural areas; (2) open spaces around public water areas; (3) public open areas; (4) open spaces along transport lines; and (5) entry space in institutions. These factors played an important roles in land usage and open spaces in different time. From the past to the present, the relationship between the factors and the pattern of the land development demonstrates trends that community need more open space, for instance, public parks, exercise areas, recreation parks, and activity parks for the community. In fact, there are many open space areas in Yantakhao, but these spaces are not used up to their full potential.