Design Based on the Hidden Logic of Urban Environments:
Chiangmai, Thailand

Invisible space refers to the hidden logical relationships among places, spaces, and human activities in urban environments. These relationships are often complex, multi-layered, and multidirectional. They are easily despised or ignored in the conventional practice of urban planning and landscape design, resulting in a significant lack of functional/spatial flexibility and social equity in urban environments. The students established one-to-one, or one-to-many, partnerships with Thailand residents to conduct in-depth field visits and research on urban space and landscape issues along the city moat and in its adjacent areas, and also to conduct a six-month design studio. The studio provided bottom-up research methods to understand the living status of residents and visitors, especially the socio-economically deprived individuals and groups in Chiang Mai moat. Students conducted the background research from literature review. They then worked with Thai students, focusing on behavior and phenomenon observation, questionnaire survey, and semi- structured interview, in order to identify the hidden logical relationships. Following this, the students developed landscape planning and design interventions based on the comprehensive and solid investigation findings, including design strategies, installations and models. The projects aimed to promote compatibility, flexibility, and just urban spaces for different types of users.