Mae Hia – City of Readiness and Green City for Recreation

Around 10 years ago, the development of Chiang Mai began to spread in clear fashion, from the city center to surrounding areas within the radius of the 1st and 2nd Ring Roads, respectively. Mae Hia, which is close to the Chiang Mai City area, has two main roads which pass close to the south, including the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road, the main route in and out of the city to the south, and the 2nd Ring Road (Sompoch Chiang Mai Road, 700 Years), with its large intersection, the Hang Dong Intersection, which is an important part of the commercial district. At the center of Mae Hia City, outstanding features and supporting factors which benefit Mae Hia Municipality when compared to other areas within the metropolitan zone, apart from being a small town close to Chiang Mai, include variety of land use, presence of a central commercial district, close proximity of residences to Chiang Mai City and Chiang Mai International Airport, a large shopping mall, and remaining agricultural areas with investment potential, including modification of high-yield agriculture or development of residential projects. Add to this Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, along with large green areas for recreation such as Royal Park Rajapruek (World Horticulture Park), Chiang Mai Night Safari, and Mae Hia Botanical Garden (urban forest), together with research centers, Mae Hia Agricultural Demonstration and Training Center, reservoirs, and a shaded atmosphere suitable for exercise and recreational activities.

Readiness as an urban community and conservation of green and forested areas, now totaling almost half of the entire municipality, has effected environmental balance within Mae Hia and reinforced its perception as a city with potential and opportunities for residents to achieve a good quality of life without great difficulty.

In addition to the physical environment, the power of public and local participation, led by the Mayor of Mae Hia and Mae Hia Municipality, is an important force in driving urban development, and is widely recognized in terms of urban vision, development and practical application in effecting change, appreciated by both local organizations and urban development groups.

For this reason, Mae Hia Municipality and Nakhon Ping Energy Research and Development Institute, Chiang Mai University, with research support funding by the Program Management Unit on Area Based Development, are developing mechanisms and models conducive to spatial investment in order for Mae Hia Municipality to be a livable low-carbon city. Operational objectives include:

1. Design and create an integrated tourism route under the concept “Mae Hia: Active Green City”.
2. Create a business plan for the Mae Hia Organic Vegetable Growers Group.
3. Study and design a network of electric vehicles in Mae Hia Subdistrict.
4. Develop a food waste management system from the establishment for production of alternative energy.

Development, according to the above objectives, requires four main activities, as follows.

Activity 1: Increase potential of the ecotourism industry in Mae Hia Municipality by designing ecotourism routes which connect natural and cultural value for the benefit of tourism in Mae Hia Municipality.
Activity 2: Develop quality and sustainable ecosystems for a green city in Mae Hia Municipality.
Activity 3: Test connections between areas with intelligent travel using electric vehicles; design test routes.
Activity 4: Food waste management from the establishment in Mae Hia Municipality.