Bangkok, Thailand – June 23-27, 2025 – Lao government officials recently visited Bangkok to learn about building greener, more resilient cities. This study tour was part of the Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation (NATURA) project, an effort to help countries better use nature-based solutions (NbS) – essentially, using nature to solve city problems. The trip was supported by the New Zealand government and led by Monash University with GGGI.

Why Use Nature to Solve City Problems?

Twenty-two people from Lao PDR, including representatives from GGGI, government officials, representatives from National University of Laos, and community representatives joined the visit. Their main goals were to (1) deepen understanding of NbS benefits (e.g., urban flood risk reduction, community cooling, and biodiversity enhancement), (2) learn from Thailand’s successful approaches to enhance urban climate resilience, (3) strengthen policy awareness related for effective NbS implementation and (4) promote peer learning between Lao and Thai officials.

Seeing Green Solutions Up Close

Participants were particularly impressed by the Chaengwattana Government Center, a noteworthy example of integrating NbS in the city. It increases functional use of the area while improving water management, reducing urban flooding, enhancing biodiversity, and cooling the city. They also saw climate adaptation features within the complex, buildings, including rooftop gardens, solar panel installations, and constructed wetland designed to treat wastewater and store water for vegetation.

Chong Nonsi Canal

They explored places like Chulalongkon University Centenary Park, Phadung Krung Kasem Canal and Benjakitti Forest Park (one of the largest remaining forest areas in Bangkok). These visits highlighted how degraded urban spaces have been transformed into public attractions and multifunctional green spaces that help reduce flood risks, improve water and air quality, support biodiversity and improve both physical and mental well-being of the people in the area. They also saw how places like Chong Nonsi Canal Park demonstrate how tourism can play a big role in keeping urban green spaces alive and covering maintenance costs.

The tour also included DTGO Campus and Magnolia Quality Development Corporation’s Forestias, which highlight their commitment to sustainable design. These sites feature buildings with solar panels to reduce energy consumption, vegetation to minimize heat and improve air quality, and rainwater harvesting systems. They also feature staff-friendly offices with impressive on-site amenities like a fitness center, healthcare services, restaurants, a theater, library, and café. What truly stood out at The Forestias was its deep integration of nature-based solutions, genuinely weaving nature into the development’s core.

Benjakitti park

Learning from Experts

The participants also attended a special training session with experts from Monash University and joined the Thai Urban Resilience National Forum 2025. This forum brought together 150 people from different groups, giving the Lao officials practical ideas on how NbS can be effectively used and included in their city plans.

Through these visits and talks, they learned how Thailand is moving away from traditional concrete designs to more natural approaches, how to fix damaged drainage systems by working with many different groups, how to get private companies involved, and how to encourage more people to use Nbs.

What the Officials Said – And What’s Next

Thongsavath Somdachit, NATURA project officer, GGGI Lao PDR, emphasized the trip’s impact: “This study tour was incredibly useful. We learned so much from the Thai government and private sectors about how they apply NbS in urban planning, particularly in designing and building more sustainable infrastructure that integrates nature. This is something new for most of our participants, as our past designs were often traditional and concrete-focused. After this mission, I believe our government will increasingly consider NbS for more sustainable cities.”

Khamphonemixay Phommathat from Laos’s Department of Housing and Urban Planning, added, “It was exciting to see so many interesting green projects. We gained valuable lessons, especially on how urban wetlands can play a key role in minimizing urban flood risks and improving the livelihood and overall health both physical and mental health of individuals. We hope to bring these lessons back to Laos for our NATURA project.”

This study tour enhanced the understanding of Lao officials regarding NbS and strengthened regional connections. The insights participants have gained from Bangkok and the NATURA Project will directly inform our upcoming training sessions in Vientiane. This will be crucial for helping Lao PDR protect vital urban wetlands like Nong Loup Ian and Nam Ping. GGGI and our partners will continue our support for Lao PDR, ensuring this knowledge on NbS is genuinely integrated into urban planning, turning great ideas into real action for stronger, more sustainable cities.

Bangkok’s clear vision and strong commitment to sustainability are translating into progress on the ground, a reminder that when it comes to green growth, seeing is believing.

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Learn more about NATURA project: Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Adaptation in Lao PDR (NATURA) Phase I — Global Green Growth Institute