Nava Nakorn Smart City
Thammasat University signed a memorandum of understanding with Nava Nakorn Plc., RATCH Group Plc. and ALT Telecom Plc. on 8 January, 2020 for a joint study on transforming Thammasat’s Rangsit campus, the Nava Nakorn Industrial Zone and surrounding areas together into the Thammasat-Nava Nakorn Smart City. The study is expected to be completed by mid-2020.
In the ceremony, the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, referred to as Thammasat Design School (TDS), signed a letter of intent with the Harvard University‘s Graduate School of Design (GSD). This collaboration aims to establish a relationship between GSD and TDS through discussions on establishing a project-based studio course. They would focus on challenges of advancing alternative futures for resilient change in the Greater Bangkok area and Pathumthani, addressing issues including smart development, climate change adaptation and emerging civic public space and infrastructure.
The event was part of the new letter of intents signed by our University and our School with the Harvard University‘s Graduate School of Design (GSD).UDDI and our 3rd Year Students were there, actively committed in discussing and designing the future of our space also from the environmental point of view
In addition, Mr. Kijja Sripatthangkura, RATCH CEO revealed that it is a pilot project for developing the potential areas of Thammasat University- Rangsit Campus, and Nava Nakorn Industrial Promotion Zone to become a smart city. The areas are selectively targeted location due to the suitableness of the surrounding community, educational institution, residences, commercial district, and industrial zone, as well as fully-equipped infrastructure systems. The District 9 project is well responded to RATCH Group’s investment expansion towards infrastructure business, and the extension of the collaboration with existing business partners, namely NNCL and ALT, in synergising strengths of each party to drive success of the project.
Rector of Thammasat University Assoc. Prof. Gasinee Witoonchart revealed that Thammasat University aimed to be a university for people and sustainability. “In the past, we have collaborated with private sectors and world-class universities to create changes in Thai society. We also integrate the knowledge of social science. Therefore, signing this MOU will conform to the university’s vision.
We intend to build Thailand Smart City. Our plan will be successful only if we have support from the government. Therefore, Thammasat will collaborate with the government and meet the ministries for more discussion in details”, Assoc. Prof. Gasinee said.
On 13 February 2020, a knowledge-sharing session was held where interested faculty members and students participated actively. Talks and presentations, discussions about the future as smart-city of the Nava Nakorn estate and the Thammasat Campus.
According to disruptive technology and the Thailand 4.0 agenda of the government, a smart city concept have consequently been initiated and willingly accepted by public and private sectors. It enables business potentials and opportunities for RATCH Group and apparently results in the cooperation in the District 9 Project: Digital industrial zones and intelligent communities. Driven by forces of knowledge and expertise integration from each party, the project is able to achieve as expected. RATCH Group believes that this project will bring substantial benefits to industrial sector in aspects of cost management, higher efficiency and productivity, as well as to meet digital lifestyle of people in today’s society”, said Mr. Kijja.
