Approaches to Solve Urban Poor Housing Problems: A Case Study of the Baan Mankong Project in Chumpae Municipality, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This article explores the process of solving problems of low-income housing communities by analyzing information from documents, participatory observations, group discussions, and in-depth unofficial interviews. According to records, from a total of 1,126 households of urban poor, 391 households have already been supported, and 735 still remain. Solutions to solving these problems have influenced changes on both the community and city levels. Not only were new housing and communities constructed, but also community social welfare projects and jobs were developed. The Baan Mankong project developed new communities in Chumpae Municipality by considering expandable urban areas with suitable potential for housing the urban poor, such as existing and future plans of urban infrastructure. Results from this development have affected the planning of urban housing of the whole city, which was a consequence of people’s participation that integrated the budget and knowledge acquisition through doing the project.