Bangkok Design Week 2024 unveils creative ideas for a livable city

Bangkok Design Week 2024 (BKKDW2024) returns for its 7th edition from January 27 to February 4, showcasing an extravaganza of creative works of art and design projects scattered across 15 neighborhoods.

On the theme “Livable Scape: the more people do, the better the city,” this year’s event promises to be more challenging than ever. Taking place over more than 15 neighborhoods across Bangkok, it will require plenty of advance planning to ensure that visitors get to explore the myriad of projects that encompass live performances, exhibitions, events, live music, walking tour and art workshops.

More than just an event, BKKDW2024 serves as a platform for new ideas and experiences. It includes contributions from creators and related agencies, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), who collaborate to solve real problems of living in the city.

The entire festival is a collaboration between the Creative Economy Promotion Agency (Public Organization) or CEA, the Bangkok government, private agencies, educational institutions, international organizations, and partners in the creative economy district network that reflect the theme through various design works conceived to make Bangkok a more livable and lovely city.

Exhibition aimed at supporting the staff and resources at Wildlife Rescue Center No. 1 in Nakhon Nayok at ATTA Gallery.

“These designs have been trialed and received advice and recommendations to improve, correct, and develop them to make them complete and sustainable in the future. As well as helping to increase the economic value of each area, Bangkok Design Week also creates meetings and connections that can continue activities in the future, helping to boost the economy and create a model for urban development,” Chakrit Pichyangkul, Executive Director of the CEA explained.

Chinese Opera story books and exhibitions at Bunsamakom Shrine in Yaowarat area.

CEA expects more than 300,000 domestic and foreign participants during BKKDW2024, creating an economic value of not less than 350 million baht. Thailand’s creative economy grows every year, with a value of around 6.8% of Thailand’s GDP in 2021, and employs around 1 million creative workers.

The content for this year’s festival focuses on three dimensions: (1) Hard Matters – a city that is good for the body, promoting good physicality, easy access, and connecting people to live comfortably and maintain good health; (2) Heart Matters – a city that is good for the heart, caring for people, featuring various activities and a strong culture; and (3) Design Matters – a well-designed city, promoting a good life, the heart of developing areas, communities, and the creative economy.

Bangkok Street Performers will take the stage with more than 16 shows at Benjasiri Park (BTS Prompong).

The festival will be held in more than 15 areas, including Charoenkrung-Talat Noi, Phra Nakhon, Pak Khlong Talad, Nang Lerng, Yaowarat (Chinatown), Hua Lamphong, Ari-Pradipat, Bang Pho- Kiak Kai, Wongwian Yai-Talat Phlu, Kaset-Bangbua, Prompong, Siam-Ratchathewi, Bangkok Yai-Wang Doem, Phra Khanong-Bangna, Bang Mod, with creative ideas also featured at Seacon Square, Bangkapi and Soi Yothin Pattana.

It highlights the identity of participating communities, some not well-known before the event. Many events and exhibitions also showcase ideas that would make the capital a more livable city, inspiring designers and thinkers to develop future urban solutions sustainably.

For example, Urban Ally creates a user-friendly pedestrian walkway and a usable and safe public space for the public after office hours; or 49 & Friends’ design project envisions a pleasurable motorcycle-taxi terminal in the bustling scene of Sukhumvit Soi 26.