Growing up in Bangkok during the 1980s, Kotchakorn Voraakhom fondly recalls playing in floodwaters in a small boat her father built. These experiences shaped her understanding of water and urban environments, influencing her future career.
At Thammasat University, located north of Bangkok, Voraakhom designed a revolutionary green roof featuring tiers of small paddy fields that cascade down from the building’s top. This design allows the campus to collect rainwater and grow food, showcasing a harmonious blend of urban living and nature.
Sustainable Water Management
The university campus includes four ponds around the building to catch and hold rainwater flowing down from the roof. During dry days, this stored water is pumped back up using clean energy from the rooftop solar panels, ensuring the rooftop paddy fields remain irrigated.
As nature-based solutions like Voraakhom’s green roof gain attention, debates arise about their effectiveness compared to traditional “grey” infrastructure like dams and pipes. Proponents argue that “green” infrastructure, such as rice-terraced riverbanks, urban parks, and green roofs, offers sustainable and resilient solutions for managing increasing storm intensity.
Voraakhom’s work at Thammasat University exemplifies how innovative, eco-friendly designs can play a crucial role in urban planning and climate resilience, potentially redefining how cities handle environmental challenges.
Read Now:Tropical Storm Debby Hits Coastal Georgia and South Carolina, Bringing Catastrophic Flooding
