THE PLANNING AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN SUKHOTHAI AND CHIANGMAI ANCIENT CITY

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SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM CONGRESS DAY 1 : SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM - WEDNESDAY 19 JANUARY 2010 ROOM

INFINITY 1-2

08.45-09.15

OPENING CEREMONY

09.15-10.00

KEYNOTE: From Land to Landscape; from Space to Place. Landscape Architecture and the Challenges of Contemporary Transformation. Catherin Bull

10.00-10.30

PLENARY 1: Beyond the Present Wannaporn Phornprapha

10.30-11.00

Coffee Break

ROOM

INFINITY 1

INFINITY 2

11.00-11.10

WATER & HOSPITALITY

CULTURE & HOSPITALITY

11.10-11.30

OR001: Preservation of the Biodiversity of a Reservoir in Nagoya, Japan by both the Drainage and the Removal of Exotic Species Yutaka Okamura

OR004: Design A Local Garden - Create New Chinese Landscape Shengxian Jian

11.30-11.50

OR002: A Green in Blue, Grey and Black: Application of Green Practices in Water and Wastewater Management Chamawong Suriyachan

OR005: The Royal Floating Pavilions in Bali: Exploration of Meanings Naniek Kohdrata

11.50-12.10

OR003: Landscape Architecture: Integrating Waterscapes Leonard Ng

OR006: Reshaping Gateway Landscape Towards a Better Urban Identity - Taipei Gateway Project Monica Kuo

12.10-13.30

Lunch

13.30-13.40

THAI CURRENT DESIGN & HOSPITALITY

DIVERSITY & HOSPITALITY

13.40-14.00

OR007: De-Coding the Site Pok Kobkongsanti

OR010: Combined Effects of Edge and Early Vegetation Regeneration Joo Mee Lee

14.00-14.20

OR008: New Interaction with (New) Land Yossapon Boonsom

OR011: In Search of Sustainability: Preserving the Biodiversity for the Enjoyment of Community using Eco-Tourism Concept - A Case Study of Kuningan Botanic Garden, West Java, Indonesia S. Sekartjakrarini

14.20-14.40

OR009: Rethinking and Designing Cultivation Landscape of the Royal Project Development Centers in Chiang Mai Worrasit Tantinipankul

OR012: Exploring Landscape Approach Towards Livable Urban Environment Swati Shasrabudhe

14.40-15.00

Coffee Break

15.00-15.10

HEALING LANDSCAPE

URBAN GREEN

15.10-15.30

OR013: Our relationship with Nature: Engaging with and Psychological Restoration in Nature I-Chun Tang

OR017: The Design of Parks and Gardens in Cairo, Egypt. Their Heritage, Tradition and Development Dr. Maher Stino

15.30-15.50

OR014: Therapeutic Exercise of Musculoskeletal System Where Plant Materials are Potentially used as Therapeutic Instruments Sasiya Siriphanich

OR018: Emergent Vegetation on Planned Greenery in Singapore Yun Hye Hwang

15.50-16.10

OR015: Environmental Qi Field Qualities of Different Landscape Structures Wan-Yu Chou

OR019: Bicycle Bridge Design as Green Road Sieyoung Moon

16.10-16.30

OR016: Assessment of Environmental Qi Field: Human as Sensor of Qi Field Chun-Yen Chang

OR020: Communicating with the Environment - A Case Study of the Core Area of New Harbour City Green Space Planning in Dalian, China Xiaofang Lu

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SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM CONGRESS DAY 2 : SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM - THURSDAY 20 JANUARY 2010 ROOM

INFINITY 1-2

09.00-09.30

PLENARY 2: From Brown to Green -- A Case Study of Nanhu Eco-city Central Park Landscape Planning in Tangshan, China Jie Hu

09.30-10.00

PLENARY 3: Permanence and Metamorphosis: Heritage of Thai Cultural Identity in Landscape Pornthum Thumwimol

10.00-11.30

PLENARY 4: Interact with the Land by Planning Policies Thad Patradoon

10.30-11.00

Coffee Break

ROOM

INFINITY 1

INFINITY 2

11.00-11.10

LEARNING AND HOSPITALITY

TOURISM

11.10-11.30

OR0021: Inquiring Sustainability in Melbourne’s Suburbs: Reflections on DSL studio 2005-2010 Sidh Sintusingha

OR024: Interact with the Land: Exploring the Potential of Jungle Railway for Eco-Tourism Opportunities Nik Ismail Azlan

11.30-11.50

OR0022: Re-Structuring Bangkok’s Suburbia: Landscape Vision Tung Rangsit Asan Suwanarit

OR025: An Assessment on the Opportunities to Develop Ecotourism in Hong Kong Wingsze (Vincci) Mak

11.50-12.10

OR023: Designing Up Diliman Plaza: A Venue for Students’ Learning, Creative Participation and Expression Galingan Zenaida C.

OR026: Cultural Landscape Values of a Rural Landscape: Perception of Outsiders and Tourists Kamarul Bahrain Shuib

12.10-13.30

Lunch

13.30-13.40

ECOLOGICAL DESIGN

PLANNING & HOSPITALITY

13.40-14.00

OR027: A Wetland Park Planning Directed by Bird Habitat Requirements - Case Study of the Core Area Planning of Lotus Lake National Wetland Park in Tieling, China Yi Han

OR031: Flux-scape : Emerging Challenges of Asian (Landscape) Urbanism Steven Velegrinis

14.00-14.20

OR028: Advocating Low Carbon Eco-city Landscape Planning and Design -- The First-Phase of Landscape Planning and Design for Zhongxin Eco-city in Tianjin Xiaoyang Wang

OR032: The Comparative Study of the Planning and Physical Characteristics Between Sukothai and Chiangmai Ancient City Charaspim Boonyanant

14.20-14.40

OR029: Attitudes and Methods of Urban New District Development Case Study of Longwan Central Business District Landscape Planning and Design in Huludao City Yanan Cui

OR033: Visual Quality Analysis and Assessment: Method for Landscape Management Planning in Thailand Wilasinee Suksawang

14.40-15.00

OR030: Interesting and Wild Nature - The Preservation, Recovery, Constrution of Wild Environment in Cities of China Zhao Jing

OR034: The Criteria for Developing Transport Development Zone for Hospitality in Bangkok Tarawut Boonlua

15.00-15.30

Coffee Break

Note: All full papers will be stored in Thai Academic Reference Database at http://tar.thailis.or.th/

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THE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PLANNING AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN SUKHOTHAI AND CHIANGMAI ANCIENT CITY Charaspim Boonyanant Landscape Architectural Program, Faculty of Architecture and Environmental Design, Maejo University, 63 M4. Nonghan, sansei, Chiangmai, 50210

ABSTRACT Sukhothai and Chiangmai Ancient City are important civilization sources of the ancient Siam empire. Sukothai was the first capital city of Siam Kingdom while Chiangmai City or Nakornping City was the capital city of northern Lanna Kingdom. Both cities are sources of unique and graceful art and culture that have played important roles in these regions for many centuries. As we all knows that Paya Mengrai, the first Lanna King, established Chiangmai, using Sukothai city planning during King Ramkhamhang era as a model. Therefore, physical characteristics of both ancient cities were distinctly similarly. However, there were many other factors that influenced appearances, characteristics, and evolution of their planning during a long period of time in the history. These resulted in the differences in details of their planning. The objective of this comparative study was to find summaries of the similarities and differences between the city planning appearances and characteristics of both Ancient Cities. Two cities were compared in the following subjects;1) Historical and Religious Background ,2) Geographical characteristics of the cities’ locations, 3) Religious beliefs and the cities forms, 4) Characteristics of Cities’ walls and moats, 5) Land uses Planning, 6) Water and Irrigation System. The method of study was to collect secondary data from related documents, and also primary data from site surveying, photography, and notes. The conclusion from the comparisons showed important factors that influenced appearances, characteristics, and evolution of those ancient cities’ planning, which would continuously promoted knowledge of the ancient city history in Thai Kingdom. Keywords: physical characteristics, planning, ancient city, Sukhothai, Chiangmai. 1. INTRODUCTION Among the capital cities of the territories in Southeast Asia that flourished in the 19th20th century B.E., Sukkoth and Chiangmai cities are more noticeable than the others because they have been the centers of politics, Government, commercial religious and culture. It is interesting to observe the overall appearances of these two cities. One would find that their characteristics astonishingly look alike. Their shapes are almost in square Moreover, the geographical characteristics of their locations are also similar. What are seen are a mere coincidence, or made by any other reason. The similar looks are actually differences in detail? What causes the differences.? From such issues, the research was done. Its purpose was to find the conclusion of the format and physical


The Comparative Study Of The Planning And Physical Characteristics Between Sukhothai And Chiangmai Ancient City

characteristics that are similar and differences between those two ancient cities. This reinforces the knowledge of the historic city planning and the influences that affected the appearance of the ancient city that are our country's heritage This research is a Historical based Research. The studied site included an ancient Sukhothai and ancient Chiangmai cities. The research processes started from data collecting of both ancient cities To explore whether there was any studies or researches done before.? Data were collected from secondary data sources including libraries, and online information sources such as documentary, plan, maps, aerial photos, textbooks and research reports. After basic information was gathered, then, the scopes of content were defined and compared. It could be summarized in 6 topics as the following; 1.1 The historic and religion backgrounds 1.2 Geographical characteristics of the cities’ locations 1.3 Religious beliefs and the cities forms 1.4 The characteristics of the cities’ moats and walls 1.5 Land use Planning 1.6 Water and irrigation system After clearly defining the scope of the study, data were collected in detail both from secondary data sources, as mentioned, and a field study from primary sources such as directly surveying in the ancient areas. Data were stored in forms of photos sketch and notes using a non-participation observation technique. Then, they were organized and classified into categories according to the topics. After that, they were analyzed, compared and be evaluated using the drawings, maps and photos for clearer and better understanding. Finally, the research findings were summarized.

Figure 1: The Monument of Three Kings who built Chiangmai city, Chiangmai.

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2. CONCLUSIONS 2.1 The historic and religion backgrounds From the study, changing period of the two cities were in a corresponding cycle. At the beginning, houses and other buildings were built mainly with wood. Then, the cities were developed imitating the characteristics of the powerful city of the region. The country gradually grew, along with the religious influences from various places were disseminated into the cities. Temples were built both in the aranwasi and khamwasi areas. Subsequently, the cities faced years of wars and were invaded by enemies. They, then, declined and abandoned. Finally. They were renovated, obviously at the cities gates, moats, walls and temples. The different between these two cities was that Sukhothai was moved to a new location at Yom riverside areas, and the old city became abandoned. While the city of Chiangmai still located at the same old place and had continued to grow until now. When comparing the duration of the physical characteristic changes between the two cities, the ancient Chiangmai have lived longer than the other. It changing period could be divided into 6 ranges, while the ancient Sukhothai have a shorter life time. It changing era could be divided into 5 ranges only. Religious influences on these cities have some similarities and some differences at the same time. These resulted from their locations, territories, and surrounding cities. The city of Chiangmai is located on the Ping River basin. It has been a center for trades and politics that could be extensively linked with other cities both at the Southern and Northern areas. Therefore, it got influences from more diverse religions and culture than Sukhothai did. They consisted of spiritual and supernatural beliefs, the Hinayana Buddhism from Pagan and that in the Langkawong Nikaya, the astrology and political science from Brahmin religion and the Western culture that came with Christian missionary groups. The city of Sukhothai mainly got influences from spiritual and supernatural beliefs, and the Hinayana Buddhism in the Langkawong Nikaya. However, most powerful religion affecting the two cities was the Hinayana Buddhism in the Langkawong Nikaya. 2.2 Geographical characteristics of the cities’ locations Comparing geographical characteristics between the two ancient cities, it was noticed that there are similarities in the overview, but differences in details. In the similarities, each city situated on a plain of a river basin between a mountain and a river, with a mountain to the West and a river to the East. Sukhothai is situated between Prathak mountain and Lamphun river, which flows into Yom river at the far East. The city of Chiangmai is located between Doi Suthep and Ping river, which flows from North to South. For this reason, the city’s land slopes from West to East. Both ancient Sukhothai and Chiangmai city have tropical monsoon climate. When comparing in detail, it was found that Doi Suthep found, which is located at the south of Chiangmai city, is a part of the East Thanon Thongchai Mountains which is an important headwater sources of Northern Thailand. There are several streams flows from Doi Suthep down to the low plain which is the location of the city. For this reason, Chiangmai city has abundant water. Compared to Prathak mountain on the West of the ancient Sukhothai, which is a small mountain. There was need to build a dam to irrigate water into the city via Saohor canal. Because of characteristics of climates and water resources, vegetations were diverse. They were both similarly and different depending on nature of each area. At the Chiangmai city, a diversity of vegetations was greater. There were


The Comparative Study Of The Planning And Physical Characteristics Between Sukhothai And Chiangmai Ancient City

areas of tengrang, miscellaneous, and bog forest. While vegetations of the ancient Sukhothai mostly were tengrang forests. 2.3 Religious beliefs and the cities’ form

Figure 2: the universe sculpture, Wat Prathathariphunchai, Lamphun. In addition to the climate of the area, religious beliefs were primarily important factors that affected characteristics and shapes of the ancient Sukhothai and Chiangmai city plans. Particularly, their almost square shape, which derived from Angkor Thom city. It was built during the reign of King Chaiworaman VII, more than 800 years ago. It reflected the characteristics of the universe as believed in Vajrayana Buddhism. To build the city of Sukhothai, the evidences of this influence showed in the planning of Prapailuang Temples and the shape of ancient Sukhothai moats and walls, dated back to the 18th century B.E. Subsequently, in the 19th century B.E. during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng the great of Sukhothai, Paya Mengrai, then, imitates a city square shape to be used as the plan of Chiangmai city. However, after time passed the two cities got different belief influence from Buddhism that spread from different places. The ancient Sukhothai received the belief of the Hinayana Buddhism in the Langkawong Nikaya from Nakhon Si Thammarat. This affected the temples’ plans, for example, the central sanctuaries were located on islands in the middle of ponds called “traphang”. The other example was the building of the pagoda for the Buddha's relic as a mind center of people. For the city of Chiangmai, there were many religious beliefs influencing the physical characteristics of the city beside of the square shape planning that derived from Sukhothai. Thay were; 1) spiritual and supernatural beliefs of lua, as shown at the locating of the Inthakhin post as the city center; 2) beliefs about astrology and astronomy were introduced to locate land uses of the city; 3) influence of the Hinayana Buddhism from Pagan and that in the Langkawong Nikaya affected the

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characteristics and locations of the temples both in khamwasi and aranwasi areas. The city of Chiangmai received more diverse religious belief influences than the ancient Sukhothai did. Because it had relationships that linked to other surrounding cities. Moreover, it has lived longer lives than Sukhothai did.

Figure 3: The Stupa at Wat Prapailuang, the first city center of Sukhothai

Figure 4: Wat Trapangtong is located in the middle of a “Trapang” or a large pond, Sukhothai The city building science that was compared in this research included survey techniques for remote positions using to construct the cities’ moats, walls, and religious places. It was considered that the plan orientation of majors religious places, moats and walls of Sukhothai was not aligned but twisted from the North-South and the East-West axis Compared to the map of Chiangmai city, it was found that the plan direction was close to these axises. In addition, the doors were positioned close to the center of the walls. These pointed out that it had better surveying techniques than Sukhothai did. There were also some evidences showing that principles of astrology were used as guidelines for the city planning. It was indicated that the city’s philosophers and engineers had astronomical knowledge through astrology. They could calculate and 1 determine Talerngsok day when a day time period is equal to a night time one. As a result, they could accurately direct remote construction. While the direction of structures of the ancient Sukhothai were vary in each group, caused by different surveying techniques in each construction range that was not as accurately as that of Chiangmai city.

1

Talerngsok day is the old Thai news year day, usually in April of each year.

19-21 January 2011, Bangkok, Thailand


The Comparative Study Of The Planning And Physical Characteristics Between Sukhothai And Chiangmai Ancient City

2.4 The characteristics of the cities’ moats and walls 2.4.1 shape and size The shape of Chiangmai city plan is similar to a square than that of Sukhothai city which is quite rectangle. Many reasons might be assumed. They were; 1) caused by the inaccuracy of site surveying for remote distances of Sukhothai’s engineers. While, the engineers who built Chiangmai city were more skilful. or 2) The ancient Sukhothai’s builders did not see a square shape planning as important, while those of Chiangmai city did. Concerning the sizes of these two cities, they were similar in size. 2.4.2 the changes of the cities’ moats and walls Because the city of Chiangmai has lived longer in the history more than the ancient Sukhothai did, therefore it had been renovated and reconstructed many times, both for political reasons and to respond to the living uses. While the ancient Sukhothai was renovated only during a city’s renovation period, approximately, at the 21st century B.E., after the city had been abandoned for a long time. The original styles of the two cities’ walls and moats are created from the clay. and there was only one layer. Later, it was reconstructed with bricks to prevent the cities from invasion of enemies. Major characteristic changes of Chiangmai walls occurred in the reign of King Rama V of Siam Kingdom, when the walls were graded and destroyed. The walls and doors of the city seen nowadays were newly created later.

Figure 5: A moat of the ancient Sukhothai city nowadays

Figure 6: A Chiangmai’s wall nowadays

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2.5 Land uses Planning The locations of important temples and palaces of the two compared cities were different. At Sukhothai city, they were located closely in the center areas. But, at the city of Chiangmai, Their locations were separately. This resulted from different belief influences. Sukhothai city planning still got more influence about the center of the universe derived from Khom than that of Chiangmai city did, since this belief had become less important. Therefore, to design the ancient Sukhothai plan, 2 direction axis was given priority. While at the city of Chiangmai, a priority was given to the EastWest direction axis. It linked from Ping river, passing the city’s East gate, through the city center, to Pra Sing Temple, which is the center of worship of the city. Locations of temples and houses of the ancient Sukhothai city were mainly on the East areas. While at the city of Chiangmai, they spread throughout the city. This was because of groundwater resources for consumption of Sukhothai city had shortage in the West areas. Unlike the city of Chiangmai, there were plentiful of groundwater sources over all of its areas. Forest areas of both cities were on the West which related to the location of the aranwasi temples located on the hillside. Both cities have an important Temple located on the West side of the mountain. They are Wat Saphanhin of Sukhothai city and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep of Chiangmai city. The location of agricultural areas were at the North and East plains of River basins. But, the southern areas of Sukhothai city were highland so that they became orchard and forests. While, the southern areas of Chiangmai city were low plains as those in the North and East which suited for agriculture. 2.6 Water and irrigation systems The development of water and irrigation system of Sukhothai city arose as solutions to solve the problem of the lack of water during summer and flooding during rainy season, which was considered very successful. In the city of Chiangmai, there were is plentiful natural water sources that were enough to support a large city with a large amount of population. However, the significant changes of the city of Chiangmai during the past century had destroyed most of evidences of the historic water and irrigation systems.

Figure 7: Praruang dam was built to irrigate water into Sukhothai city via Saohor canal. The conclusion from the comparison showed important factors that influenced appearances, characteristics, and evolution of those ancient cities’ planning. First, there were differences of geography in a regional level which resulted in the difference of the local geography. Chiangmai has more plentiful water resources than Sukhothai. As a result, they were different in plants, settlements, and water drainage systems. Another

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The Comparative Study Of The Planning And Physical Characteristics Between Sukhothai And Chiangmai Ancient City

factor that influenced the cities’ forms were religious beliefs, especially, that about the universe of Wacharayana, a Buddhist doctrine from the Angkor Thom. It was applied to be consistent with the local religious beliefs of each city. However, the one playing the most important roles was the Hinayana Buddhism, the Langkawong Nikaya. To build the square shape cities, advance principles in astronomy and mathematics were used. It was supposed that they came from Brahman Religious via the royal teachers and astrologers. The characteristics of both cities’ walls and moats were similar in shapes but different in sizes, materials, the locations and shapes of the cities’ doors and fortresses. The land use planning of both cities were similar at the areas outside of the cities’ walls, but different at those inside which depended on the religious and astrology beliefs. It also depended on water resources which were an important factor for human settlements. There were more changes in the physical characteristics of Chiangmai city than those in Sukhothai ancient city. Because it has been the center that could conveniently link to other cities in Ping River basin. Moreover, it has had a longer flourish period than Sukhothai ancient city. 3. REFERENCE Saraya, T., 1996. Thai Civilization. Ancient Cities, Bangkok. Saraya, T., 2004. Before being Thai people. Asian Study Institute. Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok Rojanastien, B., 2005. Legend of Thai architecture. Bangkok, Bangkok. Krairerks, P. 2001. Thai civilization: Basic Art history I, The art before the 19th Century B.E. Amarin Printing and Publishing, Bangkok. Coedès, Y., (prani wongthes, translators) 2003. The city of Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Mathichon, Bangkok. Wallibhodom, S., 1989. The Ancient cities in Sukhothai Kingdom. Thai Study Institute, Thammasart University, Bangkok. Wallibhodom, S., 1997. The capital cities of Thailand. Ancient Cities, Bangkok. Wallibhodom, S., 2002. The archaeological history of Lanna. Mathichon, Bangkok. Wongthes, S., 2005. Sukhothai Territory: the Ideal State. Mathichon, Bangkok. Dhamrikul. S., 1996. Lanna land. Ancient Cities, Bangkok. Premchi. S., 1979. Buddhism in Thailand. Thai Voice, Bangkok. Leksukhum. S., (2005). Ancient Thai technical work. Ancient Cities, Bangkok.

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