城市可持续发展- i g e的呵叻（ urban sustainable developmentin nakhon ratchasima- i g e s）.docVIP

Urban Sustainable Development in Nakhon Ratchasima and Implementation of Pilot Project of the Kitakyushu Initiative *Suravut Cherdchai Lord Mayor 1. Background Nakhon Ratchasima popularly known as “ Korat “ situated on Korat plateau, about 250 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. An ancient city with its original site located 31 km southwest of its present site. The city was rebuilt within city walls on an area of 1.7 sq. km., with most of the population being military personnel and their families. During the reign of King Rama V, the military area was expanded outside of the city walls to the south, with public servants housing situated north of reservoirs. In 1900 the railway line between Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok was developed, with the railway station located 1.5 km. west, Subsequently, a commercial area, commonly known as Po Klang market, flourished between the railway station and the city gate. Nakhon Ratchasima Municipality is an urban center of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, where important institutions and offices are located. Municipality gained its present status of the local authority in 1935. Since then the urban area and population have increased many times. Initially, community settlements were confined to being within the old city limits, and scattered around the city drainage system. Both sides of the road leading to the railway station have always been more heavily populated than other areas. Within the municipal boundary made up of mixed high-density residential/commercial areas, radiating from Friendship highway and around the railway station. While educational and governmental institutions are located mainly to the north, high density low income housing is situated to the south. Three distinct industrial areas have developed in zones especially along the major roads. All of the land uses, park and recreational area occupies the least land, while resi