Bangkok is sinking, so it built a park that holds a million gallons of rainwater to help prevent flooding
Known informally as the CU Park, the project was built on $700 million worth of land near central Bangkok in 2017.
The park features several characteristics that help it retain and redirect floodwater that would otherwise flow into city streets.
One side of the park sits at an incline that helps funnel water into a giant container.
The raised green roof directs runoff water through sloped rain gardens with native plants.
The water then travels through an artificial wetland ...
... and drains into a large retention pond that soaks it up.
The wetland also acts as a filtration system, where the water can be treated for toxic materials.
In the case of severe flooding, the retention pond can nearly double in size by expanding onto the park's main lawn. In total, the park can hold up to a million gallons of water.
Source: TED
Other sections of the park include an herb garden, trails, and a recreation area.
A linear rain garden — which also absorbs water — lines the park's perimeter to protect the outlying roads.
These roads include bike lanes and wide walkways, so that the public can easily access the park on foot.
"Chulalongkorn Centennial Park is designed to face future uncertainties of climate change," the firm said in a statement.
Bangkok, a mega-city of 20 million people, will continue to face the threat of sea-level rise and flooding.
While 11 acres only covers a small portion of the city, CU Park is a step toward a more resilient Bangkok.
Voraakhom is now designing an even larger park that will mitigate flooding like CU park. Located on the campus of Bangkok's Thammasat University, it's expected to open in 2019.
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