Community Planning with Religious Sites: Understanding The
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Community Planning with Religious Sites Understanding the Relationship of Theravada Buddhist Temples in Khon Kaen, Thailand, and their Surrounding Community A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning Defense: February 28, 2018 by Sarah L Galbreath B.S. The Ohio State University May 2015 Committee Chair: David Edelman, Ph. D, FAICP FSU Eur Ing SIA/KIVI University of Cincinnati, Faculty Member: Lin Liu, Ph. D, co-director of GIS Abstract In a rapidly globalizing world, it is important to become aware of different religions and cultures in other regions of the world. This study focuses on communities with religious sites. Although there are many factors that contribute to communities with religious sites, this study is written with a strong consideration of the social capital and development that occurs in the community in relation to their religious sites. The province of Khon Kaen, Thailand was selected as a case study because it is a developing region with a history of devout Theravada Buddhist. As generational shifts occur, and the region becomes developed, the role of temples within the community has shifted. In this thesis, the researcher takes a ‘boots-on-the-ground’ approach to understand the relationship between the communities and temples in Khon Kaen. To analyze the effects of temples in communities, fieldwork was conducted at various Theravada Buddhist Temples in a range of neighborhood typologies, differing levels of tourism promotion, and in two different styles of practice. The decline of regular attendance from locals at temples can endanger the social capital established between the community and temple. Temples with a connection to nature have the strongest connection to religious practice. Healthcare, education, and social services at temples strengthen the social capital between the temple and community. Qualitative research and literature review show that tourism may be an effective way to draw revenue for the temple and community, but it risks alienating the local population and requires improved built infrastructure and cautious planning for implementation of tourism to be successful. This document is a summary of the research and findings on how to plan for communities with Theravada Buddhist Temples. Key Words: Social capital; Buddhist Temples; Khon Kaen; Community Development; Theravada Buddhism; Generational shifts i Understanding the Relationship of Theravada Buddhist Temples in Khon Kaen, Thailand and their Surrounding Community [This Page was Intentionally left Blank] ii Understanding the Relationship of Theravada Buddhist Temples in Khon Kaen, Thailand and their Surrounding Community Acknowledgements The past year and a half of research and writing this thesis would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my family or the faculty and colleagues that have assisted me from the University of Cincinnati and from Mahasarakham University in Thailand. Firstly, I would like to thank my husband, Gunnar Dircks, who supported me pursuing graduate school and who helped me have the courage to explore international community planning in Thailand. Your support kept me going and made this thesis possible. My research was supplemented by the experience and knowledge of my thesis advisory team from the University of Cincinnati and from the research advisory team from Mahasarakham University. At the University of Cincinnati, I would like to thank Dr. David Edelman, for acting as chair to my thesis, for introducing me to the research exchange in Thailand, and for connecting me to Mahasarakham University. I would also like to thank Dr. Lin Liu, the advisory member on my thesis, and who offered an inter-disciplinary view and challenged me to think more spatially. From Mahasarakham University, I would like to thank Dr. Umaporn Pupphachai for acting as my research supervisor and Dr. Pechladda Petpakdee for acting as my research advisor. Additionally, at the university, I would like to thank Dr. Wichanat Tiwasing, Dr. Pondej Chaowarat, Professor Calum Hudges, and the students hired to conduct field research for helping simplify my research process and connect me to the right people and resources. Although I am grateful to all the student translators, I would like to specifically thank Sasiwimon Hounthaisong for constantly showing up and working hard each fieldwork day. Finally, I would like to give my deepest gratitude to Ajan Rutchanoophan Kunsingsree who was instrumental in helping me manage my fieldwork and making sure the field work was successful and that I had an enjoyable time in Thailand. iii Understanding the Relationship of Theravada Buddhist Temples in Khon Kaen, Thailand and their Surrounding Community Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................ i Key Words: ...................................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................................ vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................ viii List of Images .................................................................................................................................................................. x Thesis ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 i. Background ....................................................................................................................................... 1 ii. Problem Statement .......................................................................................................................... 7 iii. Research Question ........................................................................................................................... 8 II. Literature Review ............................................................................................................................................... 11 i. Enclaves of Thai People living in the United States ................................................................. 11 ii. History of Thai Culture and Religion .......................................................................................... 13 iii. The Social Capital.......................................................................................................................... 15 iv. The Social Capital, Happiness, and Quality of Life ................................................................ 16 v. Understanding the Spatial Relationships of Communities ....................................................... 17 vi. Health, Happiness, and Family Structures in Thailand ............................................................ 18 vii. The Social Capital of Buddhism in Thai Communities .......................................................... 19 viii. Measuring the Effects of Social Capital ................................................................................ 21 ix. History of Khon Kaen .................................................................................................................... 22 x. Background of Tourism in Thailand ............................................................................................. 23 xi. Trends of Tourism of Thailand ..................................................................................................... 24 xii. Generational Shift in Religion Across the Globe ................................................................. 26 III. Methodology ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 I. Hypothesis ....................................................................................................................................... 31 II. Limitations ........................................................................................................................................ 31 III. Spatial Distribution of Temples ................................................................................................... 33 IV. Practice of Buddhism ................................................................................................................. 34 V. Famous to Foreigners v Locally Known ...................................................................................... 34 VI. Sub-Site Locations ...................................................................................................................... 35 iv Understanding the Relationship