ศักยภาพของชุมชนในการฟื้นฟูชุมชนที่อยู่อาศัย : กรณีศึกษา ชุมชนซอยวัดหลังบ้าน เทศบาลเมืองสมุทรสงคราม จังหวัดสมุทรสงคราม / ธีระ แก่งทองหลาง = Potential of community in revitalizing the housing community : a case study of Soi Wat Lang Baan community, Samutsongkhram municipality Samutsongkhram province / Teera Kaengthonglang
“Soi Wat Lang Baan community” is a long established housing community located at the mouth of the Mae Klong canal, Samutsongkhram Municipality, Samutsongkhram province. The community features some housing of high cultural value and some that is a regrettably in a dilapidated state. The idea of revitalizing the housing community, mainly by the community to strengthen itself, dictates a study of the community’s existing potential so that effective plans can be put into place. This thesis thus aims to study and analyze the potential, values, and characteristics of the inhabitants and the community of Soi Wat Lang Baan for the purpose of revitalization using surveys, observations, and interviews with a sample size of 60 community members. The research results are as follows. Regarding the physical characteristics, there are four patterns of housing: traditional Thai-style houses (8.8%), indigenous wooden houses (31.2%), contemporary houses (43.5%), and modern houses (16.5%). It is found that the condition of over half of these houses needs to be improved (63.3%). As for the socio-economic status, most inhabitants are in debt, with insufficient income and without savings to improve housing. Most have been living in the community for more than 30 years. They retain a strong bond to their houses and community. Relationships within the community are mainly based around kinship. There is also a strong tradition of community lore that has been passed down over the years. Physical problems found in the community include erosion by water, lack of common areas, non-standard walkways, lack of entry or exit points, crowdedness, and lack of proper drainage system resulting in water being trapped. Housing problems include the buildings being eroded by water, unhygienic toilet facilities, and housing being in dilapidated state. Social problems include drug use, and a lack of unity and collaboration. Economic problems are caused by insufficient income due to a lack of job security. The study of the community’s potential concluded that the inhabitants and the community’s potential is at the ‘low’ level due to the following obstacles: 1) lack of financial resources for revitalizing the housing and the community, 2) lack of knowledge and understanding of community revitalization, 3) lack of the ability to make use of the community’s resources, 4) lack of love and unity in the community, 5) lack of collaboration, participation, and expression of opinions, 6) lack of transfer of community knowledge and wisdom, 7) lack of occupational groups promoting the community’s identity, 8) lack of the eagerness to see community development and revitalization, 9) no realization of the problems and importance of housing and community, 10) a lack of self-reliance and confidence in their own potential, and 11) a lack of leadership with few attempts to search for assistance either from inside or outside the community. The problems above exist despite the following support factors: 1) having housing with cultural value as identity, 2) abundant environmental resources, 3) valuable traditions and customs that have been continually practiced, 4) a strong emotional commitment to the community area 5) understanding the value of housing and the culture of living, and 6) having strong community ties. To build up the potential for revitalizing the community, the following approaches are recommended. 1) Community leaders must use the self-identified problems discussed in the study as tools for encouraging the community to realize the nature of their problems and find ways to unite and solve them. 2) Collaboration among various groups as well as platforms for gatherings to build up relationships and exchange views should be promoted. 3) Activities that promote learning and community wisdom should be arranged for the development of the potential of the inhabitants. 4) Capable people in the community should be asked to participate more in the community development and revitalization. 5) Local agencies and those concerned should provide support for the process of developing community members’ potential. The aim is to create participation in strengthening the community for further efficient development and revitalization of communities in the region in the future.
