Urban forms, life-style, and energy consumption: A case of Bangkok metropolis

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of urban form on the extent of energy consumption in the city. The research hypothesized that distinctiveness of land use pattern, density, and occupancy size were factors determining differentiated patterns of journey to work, fuel consumption, and living conditions. It applied a case study approach to compare three communities with three different spatial arrangements-inner, mid, and outer Bangkok - to reveal the pattern of daily travelling distance, mode of transportation, amount of household floor area per capita, and household electricity consumption as indicators differentiating the level of energy consumption. The study found a significant relationship between living density and the length of journey to employment and to obtain daily supply. The mixed-use physical settings of inner city with the availability of goods and services in proximity could reduce both travelling distance and frequency. Despite the fact that dwellers in the densely populated areas are willing to travel on foot, bicycles and mass transportation, the unavailability of bike-lane and inefficient public transportation were factors barring them to do so. The study also found two contradictory facts which complicated the energy conservation schemes in cities of developing countries-the energy sufficient high density living condition versus the dwellers' desires for a better quality of life. Dwellers in settlements of low density at the suburban areas tended to travel longer distance on automobiles, while the costly urban land in city centre mandated the settlement to grow vertically, and fostered a higher density living condition, which made residences in urban centre, consumed less energy than dwellers in outskirt. Populations with higher income, however, opted to live in a lower density community located in greater distance from their job and services in favour of higher quality of life. Frequent long journeys during weekends and long holidays toward vacation spots in outer provinces have been a norm.