รูปแบบการตั้งถิ่นฐานและการใช้ที่ดินชุมชนมุสลิม ตำบลเกาะไร่ อำเภอบ้านโพธิ์ จังหวัดฉะเชิงเทรา / อัสรีน่า แก้วดำ = Settlement and land use pattern of Muslim Communities, Tambon Ko Rai, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province / Asreenar Kaewdam
The objectives of this study were to 1) investigate the background and the patterns of the Muslim communities in Tambon Ko Rai, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province and their interaction with the neighboring communities, 2) examine the factors influencing their settlement and land use patterns and 3) predict changes in their settlement and land use patterns. The research questions were whether the settlement and land use patterns of the Muslim communities in Tambon Ko Rai were similar to those of other Muslim communities in general, how the residents adapted themselves to the environment and what the trends towards the settlement and land use patters would be. The study was conducted by means of 1) survey, 2) analysis of maps surmounted by other maps, 3) participatory observation, 4) interview and 5) record of field data on sites and the residents’ daily activities.
It is found that the patterns of settlement and land use in these communities can be categorized into 2 types: 1) the settlement patters which share the same characteristics with other Muslim communities and 2) the settlement patterns which differ from those of other Muslim communities. As for the first type, the houses are located in a cluster since Ko Rai’s topography is hilly. The mosque is in the center of the community. Winding routes result from the unsystematic layout of houses and other buildings. The residential zone and the functional zone are clearly marked. As for the second type, the settlement is stretched along the Phravejburirom Canal. To acclimatize themselves to the environment, the residents have to commute along the canal and their houses are adapted to water-based lifestyle. The mosque is situated on the canal bank and in the central part of the community. Since the residents have to perform their daily religious activities there, they choose to live near the mosque. Few changes in the settlement are observed. It can be predicted that the settlement will be more or less of the same patterns. Changes will take place gradually and steadily. It can be concluded that landscape plays an important role in the settlement and land use patterns in the case-study communities.
