Green belt is a type of urban planning area, distinguishing it from other urban development types like commercial zones or residential areas. Urban planning areas include parks, commercial zones, and residential areas as examples.
Green belts primarily aim to limit urban sprawl, contrasting with commercial zones that facilitate economic activities and residential areas that provide housing.
Green belt features often include public parks, agricultural lands, and forests. Public parks in Bangkok, such as Lumphini Park, serve as recreational spaces; agricultural lands around the city’s outskirts support local farming; forests act as natural reserves and habitats for wildlife.
These features are popular in green belts for maintaining ecological balance and providing leisure spaces, differing from features in commercial zones, such as shopping centers, or residential areas, like apartment complexes.
Common green belt features encompass walking trails, picnic areas, and bird watching spots. Walking trails, found in Bang Krachao, encourage physical activity; picnic areas in parks like Benjakitti Park offer social gathering spots; bird watching spots in areas such as the Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium attract nature enthusiasts.
These common features enhance the recreational value of green belts, differing from the commercial activity hubs or housing facilities.
Unusual green belt features might include labyrinth gardens, outdoor sculptures, and water conservation projects. Labyrinth gardens, as seen in some private green belts, provide meditative spaces; outdoor sculptures, present in certain parks, merge art with nature; water conservation projects, implemented in green spaces, showcase environmental stewardship.
These unusual features add a unique cultural and ecological aspect to green belts, distinguishing them from the more utilitarian elements of other urban areas.
Unique green belt features in Bangkok might include the use of abandoned railways as green pathways, rooftop gardens on public buildings, and the integration of traditional Thai landscapes in urban parks. Abandoned railways, repurposed as green pathways, connect different parts of the city; rooftop gardens, found atop buildings like the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, maximize limited urban space; traditional Thai landscapes in parks, such as at Suan Luang Rama IX, celebrate cultural heritage.
These unique features illustrate innovative approaches to urban green spaces, offering experiences not found in other types of urban development.
Green belts differ from similar urban planning areas by their focus on limiting urban expansion and preserving natural landscapes, rather than facilitating housing or commercial activities. Whereas residential areas prioritize housing solutions and commercial zones focus on economic activities, green belts aim to protect natural areas from development, offering a blend of recreational, ecological, and cultural values unique to their purpose.
For further details on terms used in this discussion, refer to the glossary about Bangkok real estate.