EEC Academy has proposed a collaborative project with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration involving four sectors: government, private, academia, and the public. The aim is to implement innovations for improved urban living in a tangible way through a Sandbox model, starting in the Sukhumvit South area and The Em District as the first locations. This initiative will be supported by knowledge, research, and various innovations from research centers under the leading real estate developer MQDC (Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited), such as the Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC by MQDC) and the FutureTales Lab by MQDC. Additionally, the Organization for Knowledge Management (OKMD) will contribute to designing and developing the experimental area to ensure sustainable quality of life under the concept of Eco District Sandbox.

This initiative arose from a brainstorming session during a special seminar titled “Why the City Needs ESI Thinking Power? Why Does Urban Society Need Environmental Sustainability and Innovation Thinking Power to Enhance Quality of Life?” at the press conference for the Nova BUILD EXPO 2023, led by Dr. Kesha Thirakomen, Director of EEC Academy and Chairman of the EEC Engineering Network, along with Dr. Chatchart Sitthiphan, Governor of Bangkok, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sing Intarachuto, Head of Advisory at RISC by MQDC, held recently in Bangkok.

During the seminar, Dr. Kesha proposed a collaboration among the four sectors to establish the Eco District Sandbox project as a testing ground for applying knowledge, research, and innovations to develop exemplary projects that enhance urban quality of life, with the potential for future application. Dr. Chatchart agreed to act as a facilitator to coordinate all parties for further discussions to initiate the sandbox plan immediately.

The area to commence this initiative includes Sukhumvit South, designated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration as an Innovation District in alignment with its urban development policy, with collaboration from all stakeholders and MQDC, which has several projects emphasizing innovation in the area, such as Cloud 11, 101 True Digital Park, and True Digital Park I and II. Another location designated as the first Sandbox for this collaboration is The Em District, home to Emquartier and Emporium shopping centers, as both areas are well-prepared to participate in the Sandbox immediately.

This Sandbox project will focus on addressing six major issues: the use of clean building energy (Green Energy), the elimination of PM 2.5 dust, waste separation, waste management, flood control, wastewater treatment, and the undergrounding of electrical wires.

Highlighting these issues aims to pave the way for overcoming legal limitations related to the environment through Green Regulations, enabling the practical implementation of innovations and leading to a sustainable environment and reduced carbon emissions.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sing Intarachuto, Head of Advisory at RISC by MQDC, stated, “This sandbox project can be implemented immediately, and RISC by MQDC is ready to support by providing research related to improving life quality in line with MQDC's philosophy of For All Well-Being.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sing mentioned that RISC by MQDC has research groups ready for immediate use, including 5 Research Hubs for Well-being, which encompass biodiversity (Plants & Biodiversity), air quality (Air Quality), scientific happiness (Happiness Science), materials and resource usage (Materials & Resources), and resilience (Resilience), along with many other necessary research areas. MQDC, the parent company of RISC, has prioritized innovation in real estate business for the past 30 years, resulting in numerous research and innovations developed for practical use in various company projects.

Dr. Kande Liowphairoj, Executive Director of FutureTales Lab by MQDC, revealed that throughout history, the greatest innovations have emerged from crises. Today, the changing environment has reached a critical point, and it is something everyone must collectively take responsibility for the future of upcoming generations.

According to research conducted by FutureTales Lab by MQDC on the conditions of major cities and urban living in the future, there is a high likelihood that large cities like Bangkok will face significant natural disasters that severely impact the quality of life if environmental issues, pollution emissions, urban planning, and resource usage remain unresolved.

Currently, FutureTales Lab by MQDC is collaborating on the development of an environmental data hub project or ‘Urban Hazard Studio’ with ESRI Thailand, a leader in geographic information system development. The goal is to analyze, assess, and disseminate data to raise public awareness and prepare society for future national challenges, starting with studying flood hazards in Bangkok and its vicinity to minimize potential damage, benefiting citizens, society, and the economy in the long term.

“We must utilize innovation and collaboration to create a livable world for our children and future generations,” Dr. Kande stated.

This seminar was part of the press conference for the Nova BUILD EXPO 2023, an exhibition showcasing building innovations, designs, and products related to construction, emphasizing new building innovation ideas that align with the ESI concept, which includes three key dimensions: buildings that care for the environment (Ecosystem), buildings that promote sustainability for the world and communities (Sustainability), and buildings that prioritize quality of life and enhance building efficiency (Innovation for Well-being). The event will take place from September 13-15 at Hall 103-104, BITEC Bangna, following the guidelines of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

For more details about the Nova BUILD EXPO 2023, visit https://www.facebook.com/novabuildexpo/.