The Driving Force of Urban Water Body Change in Chonburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

The rapid urbanization from special economic zones (SEZs) in Asia poses a risk on water crisis. This paper identifies water body change trend and its driving force of change in Chonburi province; the most urbanized area in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand, in order to analyse the root cause of water shortage in the area. Land use maps from 2006 to 2019 were used to evaluate the changing trend in water bodies using land use transition matrix and land use dynamic degree. Panel data from 364 observations in the Chonburi sub-district was used to assess the driving forces of water body change using panel data analysis. The study reveals that the water bodies are experiencing an increasing trend at the annual rate of 10.72%. The most predominant factor of change is the type of governance, followed by agricultural land use, climate change and population respectively. The results highlight the increasing trend of human-made urban water bodies, the importance of the local authority and the need of international collaboration. Therefore, the government should consider to strengthen measures and policy relative to water body change in the area in order to induce significant impact on future urban water supply.

A regional assessment of ecological environment quality in Thailand special economic zone: Spatial heterogeneous influences and future prediction

“…The rapid and intensive development forces this region into a context of considerable urban agglomeration, land use and land use changes (LULCC), and environmental degradation (Boonyanam & Bejranonda, 2022; Diep et al, 2022; Mekparyup & Saithanu, 2020; Thongphunchung et al, 2022). The region has seen a more prominent urbanization in coastal areas during 2007–2016, and this trend will continue in the future at a rate of 2.40% per year (Tontisirin & Anantsuksomsri, 2021).…”

“…A healthy and diverse ecological environment is crucial for regional development to address environmental challenges, promote sustainability, and ensure human well‐being. Previous studies indicated that the natural ecosystems (i.e., paddy fields, horticulture, and forest) in the EEC have experienced a reduction in both area and economic values (Boonyanam & Bejranonda, 2021, 2022; Tontisirin & Anantsuksomsri, 2021). If this trend continues in the future, it will be challenging to balance the tradeoffs between urban‐industrial agglomeration and nature losses, especially under a high demand on land budget, increasingly intensive production, high water demand, and severity of drought and climate change (Mon et al, 2022; Nitivattananon & Srinonil, 2019; Promping & Tingsanchali, 2021; Samanmit et al, 2022; Wongsa et al, 2020).…”