The Nature Exploration with Jaibaan Studio

On the second day of for Cities Week 2025, we immersed ourselves in nature by visiting places such as the urban forest (Huai Kaeo Arboretum) and temples (Wat Pha Lat, Wat Umong, Phra That Therachan) and by having a walking meditation in the forest.

The first half of the day was led by Jaibaan Studio, which enables us to acquire a holistic understanding of the structure of the city, the shape of the land and the spirituality and the people who practice it. Firstly, we visited the urban forest called Huai Kaeo Arboretum, located close to Chiang Mai University. We walked through the inside of the forest and experienced the smells, sounds, feelings and textures surrounded by the various vivid colours of trees and living things like birds and insects. At the entrance of the forest, there were two very tall trees called “yangna tree”, which were planted and used as a landmark to indicate the location and direction of the city during ancient trade.

As soon as we arrived in the forest, Jaibaan Studio explained to us about the interrelationships of the structure of the city, the landscape of nature and the settlement of the people. One of the interesting topics was the story about Wiang Chet Lin, which is the oldest settlement of Chiang Mai, hidden in Doi Suthep. It is said that Wiang Chet Lin was established 1500 years ago by a monk named Vasuthep, who descended from the mountains surrounding Chiang Mai. This city was founded at the foot of the mountain, which brought the abundance of nature. The meaning of its name is “walled city of seven streams”.

During that time, the pillar called “Jaibaan” was established by the people when they initiated the community. This pillar serves as a prayer space for people to pray and to honour the memory of their ancestors. It also works to sustain the community as it offers a place to gather people, especially during the annual religious festival.

Moreover, it was mentioned by the Jaibaan studio that most of the temples in Chiang Mai are situated from east to west, which means that the entrance of the temple is in the east and the Buddha statue is enshrined in the west. This placement of the temple enables worshippers to pray toward Buddha, at the same time, to be respectful to the mountain, Doi Suthep, they face.

The urban planning of Chiang Mai has been done with a huge consideration of the rhythm and language of nature. I believe that this kind of approach represents an ideal way to design a city. That's because nature is always there before us, and by taking it into account and building cities at a pace that follows the natural flow, we can create environments that are gentle on both the human heart and nature itself, without placing burdens on either.

Following this, we visited Wat Pha Lat located on the way to Doi Suthep. This temple has served as a resting point for monks and pilgrims on their way to Doi Suthep. The temple has a rich history dating back to 600 years, it’s construction was held during the reign of King Kuena (1355-1385). The background of the construction was related to the death of the white elephant of the king. When the king was on the journey to the Doi Suthep by riding the white elephant, however, the elephant was exhausted and eventually died. Because of that, the king ordered the establishment of temples where an elephant can take a rest.

We spent around an hour at Wat Pha Lat to fully experience the atmosphere of the temple. I felt huge comfort and peace since it is the temple in the forest. Once I stepped into the site of the temple, I could see the gentle size of the entrance. It requires to slightly bend the posture of a person to enter, this structure enables the change in human behaviour to show humbleness in the temple. The temple grounds were lush with greenery, and nestled quietly within the foliage were numerous statues of the Buddha. At the temple entrance, carvings of Nagas could be seen, and throughout the grounds, statues of spiritual beings stood silently, creating a serene and sacred atmosphere. When I visited the temple, it happened to be raining. The rain-soaked greenery glistened more vividly, appearing even more lush and beautiful. The sound of raindrops falling on the trees and leaves filled the temple grounds, creating a solemn and tranquil atmosphere.

“Wisdom from Nature Workshop”

In the second half of the day, we visited Wat Umong. We went for a walk in the forest nestled at the back of the temple with Tee. Wat Umong dates back to the 14th century, when King Mangrai founded it as a tranquil sanctuary for forest monks from Sri Lanka. As one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai, it offers visitors a deep sense of history and cultural richness. Closely connected to the spread of Buddhism in northern Thailand, the temple holds great spiritual significance and remains as a vital historical site. Wat Umong bears the lasting influence of Buddhadhasa Bhikkhu, a prominent Thai monk of the 20th century. His teachings, which emphasise the harmony between nature and spiritual practice, are reflected throughout the temple grounds. A statue of him, situated on a small island in the temple’s lake, stands as a tribute to his profound impact on modern Buddhist thought.

The tunnels of Wat Umong were built in the late 14th century by King Ku Na, who designed it as a meditation space for monks, offering a quiet and secluded environment. Also, since the temple is situated in a natural forest, the temple grounds are filled with tall trees, a cool stream, creating a tranquil environment ideal for meditation and reflection. These are the most unique features which make this temple special for monks and those who meditate.

Subsequently, we embarked on walking in the forest. Firstly, we had a few minutes of meditation, and then started walking silently. After we reached Phra That Therachan, each of us drew and sketched our impressions and emotions in the forest and the temple. I drew the line of the sounds I heard in the forest and the temple.

Relation to my research topic on Spirituality and “yohaku”

The second day of for Cities Week 2025 was mainly dedicated to exploring temples within Doi Suthep, as well as aspects of Thai Buddhism, nature, and the spirituality of people in traditional communities. Throughout the day, I came to realise that spirituality may offer temporal, spatial, and internal “yohaku”— a Japanese word, which means empty or open space; physically (like margins on a page) or mentally (like quiet time or breathing room) —which in turn can enrich our everyday lives, cities, the natural world, and the human mind.

Spirituality, for example, our sense of awe for nature and spiritual beings, our sense of respect for Buddha and ancestors, results in the existence of temples, Jaibaan, and a natural forest. It consequently prevents rapid urbanisation, preserves nature and indigenous traditions, the uniqueness of the cityscape, and plans the city with consideration of the rhythm and flow of nature. In this way, spirituality brings spatial “yohaku”

On the other hand, by placing value on spirituality, we can create inner and temporal “yohaku” in our lives. For instance, the presence of spiritual traditions often gives rise to religious events and ceremonies, which provide opportunities to step away from the busyness of daily life, spend time with family, ancestors and friends, and strengthen our connections with others. Furthermore, the existence of temples and natural spaces preserved through spiritual values, allows people to take time for meditation and prayer, creating moments of stillness to turn inward. I believe that this inner “yohaku” enables us to find a sense of fulfillment and well-being in both mind and body.

I believe that the presence of such “yohaku” can cultivate vitality in both our everyday lives and urban environments, while also fostering a sense of inner peace. In this sense, it reflects the qualities I associate with the idea of the “tropical.”

Looking Forward: Futures on Tropical Urbanism(s)

Cities are built on principles of rationality, efficiency, and convenience. They serve as centres of commerce and culture, with infrastructures designed for smooth economic flow. Yet, in their rapid development, we risk losing something essential: spirituality. Spirituality, and the “yohaku” it creates, stand in contrast to the logic of urban life. It connects us to our instinctive nature, a sense of belonging among all living beings, and a desire to engage with the unseen, such as spirits, ancestors, and nature. In this way, spirituality represents a deep human quality, intangible, unproductive, and yet vital. Unlike the purposeful drive of cities, it invites us to pause, reflect, and simply be.

Here, I would define tropical urbanism(s) as a way of life that reflects the vibrant vitality of all living things, where even human existence is revealed in a more natural and authentic state. From here on, I would like to think about ways of designing cities that engage more deeply with human intuition and physicality, and where people and nature can coexist in a closer and more natural relationship.