"Khon Kaen Urban Development" has teamed up with Mitr Phol Sugar Group and the TCDC Creative Design Center to accelerate the revitalization of the Sri Chan area, transforming it into a creative city hub for the new generation of startups. The initiative aims to bring together three generations to share their experiences before passing them on to the younger generation to drive the development of a smart city.

Mr. Suradech Thaveesangskulthai, co-founder of Khon Kaen Urban Development KKTT Co., Ltd., revealed that in collaboration with the TCDC Khon Kaen, under the Office of Creative Economy Promotion (Public Organization), and local community groups in the Sri Chan area, they recently organized an event to share the history of Khon Kaen. They invited prominent figures from three generations who have lived in Khon Kaen for 40, 50, and 70 years to recount the city's history to interested audiences.

In the second phase, old photographs were showcased to allow children to see Khon Kaen's past, along with workshop activities to create a comprehensive plan involving all sectors—government, private sector, and universities—aimed at compiling a calendar of events for Khon Kaen throughout the year. During this event, various sectors brought food to share, fostering good relationships as part of the revitalization efforts in the Sri Chan area, which Khon Kaen Urban Development KKTT and all stakeholders are currently driving.

The Sri Chan Creative Group has already established a model for urban revitalization. The feedback from this event highlighted the history of Khon Kaen and the Sri Chan area, illustrating the development from the past to the present, allowing participants to learn about the history beforehand. The collaborative workshops revealed the actions each involved unit plans to undertake, providing an overview of the development calendar for the entire province and identifying areas of involvement.

"The older generation paves the way for the younger generation to build upon and continue driving forward. The goal is to create a creative and smart city. Currently, the Sri Chan area has clear leadership in driving development and revitalization, with TCDC and the local municipality collaborating with the community. Additionally, the Khon Kaen Foundation for the next decade will provide further support," Mr. Suradech stated.

He further mentioned that this year, visible developments include the renovation of the abandoned buildings owned by Mitr Phol, set to begin in April. The ongoing urban revitalization efforts by Khon Kaen Urban Development, in collaboration with Mitr Phol, involve leasing shopfronts, with the upper floors being developed into residential spaces, dormitories, or hostels to generate additional income. The ground floor will be developed as a social enterprise space for new entrepreneurs in the area who are starting up and have ideas but lack storefronts, allowing them to operate free for six months to test their business concepts.

"We are clearly zoning the products and selecting individuals to fit each zone. Initially, there are about 40 shopfronts, which can be divided into approximately 70 stores, accommodating around 500 residents, attracting the younger generation back to the city once again," Mr. Suradech concluded.