Ideal building height, bulk, and surrounding space : a basis for the development of urban design guidelines in Sankampaeng, Thailand

Vita.The present study assessed preferred physical characteristics of the built environment as related to the public image of the city. The outcomes were expected to assist in developing urban design guidelines. The research methodology included both interview and passive observational techniques. The interview was conducted to obtain the public's image of the city and their visual evaluation of the buildings in the public image. The passive observational technique, consisting of both the observation of physical traces and archival research, was used to infer preferences for aspects of the built environment. Data were gathered from 120 residents of three areas in Thailand: Chiang Mai, Sankampaeng, and the villages on the proposed site of a new town. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses, an analysis of variance, and a parameter estimation technique. The regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between the public image and the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the public image and the selected buildings' physical attributes (height, bulk, and surrounding space), the public image and visual-preference, and preferred building height. The analysis of variance was used to test whether groups of buildings differ with respect to preferred attributes. The parameter estimation technique was employed to examine whether the buildings' height and surrounding space suggested in Bangkok's building codes lie in the interval estimates of the minimum dimensions that the respondents perceived of what constituted a tall building and spacious surrounding space. The results indicated significant relationships between the public image and the characteristics of the respondents and the selected buildings' attributes. Moreover, there were differences among building groups with regard to preferred height and surrounding space, and the height and surrounding space suggested in the codes did not lie in the interval estimates of the minimum dimensions as perceived by the respondents. Several suggestions were given as to be of help of developing urban design guidelines for Sankampaeng