A Study of the Impact of Mass Rapid Transit on the Cultural Environment of the Khlong Om Non Riverside Community, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

This qualitative research examines the impact of rail-based mass rapid transit systems on the tangible cultural environment of the Riverside Community, located along Khlong Om Non in Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province. The study aims to examine the effects of rail transit on the tangible cultural environment of the Khlong Om Non Riverside Community and propose sustainable development approaches that align with current urban transformations. Content analysis and visual interpretation of satellite imagery were employed to identify factors contributing to spatial change before the construction of the MRT Purple Line. The study focused specifically on land use patterns, architectural changes, and infrastructural developments. The findings reveal changes in the tangible cultural environment, particularly in architectural styles and settlement patterns, with the emergence of modern buildings, shophouses, and commercial structures along major roads aligned with the transit route. The replacement of traditional settlements with planned housing estates has gradually altered both the social fabric and spatial configuration of the community. While historical wooden houses remain, the landscape has also changed with the rise of modern housing estates and increased urban density. Therefore, while the Khlong Om Non Riverside Community retains its traditional cultural landscape in certain pockets, noticeable changes have occurred near the MRT stations and surrounding corridors. Sustaining the development of this waterfront community will require active collaboration among the government, private sector, and residents. It is necessary to promote community-based activities, establish conservation measures, provide educational initiatives, and implement legal regulations to control appropriate land use and ensure cultural continuity amid urban expansion.