The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is set to team up with local communities, civil society and businesses to develop Samut Songkhram and Buri Ram municipalities as sustainable future cities (SFCs) in fiscal 2022.
NESDC deputy secretary-general Anek Memongkol said municipalities in the two provinces are ready for SFC development, as each has generated enough revenue of its own.
The 12th national economic and social development plan (2017-21) calls for SFC development in major cities, particularly within special economic zones.
The NESDC, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), started the "Project for Promoting Sustainability in Future Cities of Thailand" in August 2015 to promote sustainable urban development in cities across the nation.
Key goals for sustainable urban development comprise self-sustaining economic competitiveness/promotion of centrality of the city; sustainable environmental strategy; attractiveness and identity of cities/pride in the local community; depopulation, ageing and low-fertility society/making it a livable city for all; strengthened city initiatives for development; greater public participation in development/core sense of ownership; and linkage between national government policy and programmes and actual local needs.
Together with the NESDC and Jica, the project team launched the SFC concept and proposed the initiative as a mechanism guided by the national government and driven by the local government to realise its goals.
The scheme selected six model cities: Krabi, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Phanat Nikhom (Chon Buri), Nan and Khon Kaen.
In 2019, the NESDC and Jica added Chumphon and Ranong to the SFC development plan because the two cities are located in the Southern Economic Corridor.
In 2020 and 2021, the NESDC assisted the municipalities of Lampang and Sukhothai, respectively, in conducting strategic development to become SFCs.
