The city is an area of combustion of ideas and interactions of many different people. These intense exchanges and linkages between diverse groups are catalysts for creativity and innovation which is an important dynamic that is driving the new economic and social development of the city. At the same time, diversity implies the differences in ideas, needs, and development programs that may often be in conflict with each other. In other words, the city is the area of ​​confrontation and negotiation among various groups in society. When one group controls access to city resources and benefits through inequitable development, that will lead to inequality that infects the economic, social, and political environment.

 

Given this challenge, “Inclusive Cities” has become a major issue. The essence of this concept is to create an open development process and respond to the needs of various people in the city by not leaving any group of people in the society behind.  The strategy is to create an opportunity for all groups to have equal access to public goods and services, such as open spaces, parks, public transport stations, as well as intellectual utilities based on the principles of human rights and a democratic society.

 

Urban rehabilitation is therefore an important opportunity to build a comprehensive city. This is accomplished by changing the urban areas that are dilapidated -- physically, economically, and socially --  into vibrant neighborhoods of quality and meaning.  This creates an environment that facilitates social interaction at various levels of people in public spaces so that they live together and rely on one another in harmony, and create economic opportunities for all groups of people.

These concepts are the origin of the “Grand Bangkok - Grand Paris: Urban Regeneration toward Inclusive Cities International Forum.”  This was a forum for discussion and exchanging ideas with city leaders, economists, town planners, and urban planning architects from Bangkok and Paris, with a focus on the rehabilitation project of Bangkok 250 and the Grand Paris Plan, both of which have riverside developments as a key strategy to bring people together.

The event “Public debates and exhibitions: Views between Paris and Bangkok: A new trend for special cities” consisted of the following four activities:

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• A Perspective Exhibition between Paris and Bangkok: New Project for Special Cities From the 16th to the 27th of November at the Gallery of the Alliance Française in Bangkok.  There was an introduction to the exhibition on November 26 at 6:00 pm.

• The exhibition of fine art sculptures from 12 November to 12 December outside the Alliance Française in Bangkok The opening ceremony took place on 26 November at 6:00 pm.

• Panel discussion: Perspectives between Paris and Bangkok: New Approach for Special Cities, at the Auditorium, Alliance Française in Bangkok on Thursday, 26 November, 7:30 pm

• Academic conference on the new dynamics of these two cities, Monday 30 November at Chulalongkorn University.