― ― 17 National Economic and Social Development Plan as an Urban Driver (YONGVANIT, THUNGSAKUL) The National Economic and Social Development Plan as an Urban Driver for Khon Kaen City Sekson YONGVANIT * 1 and Nopadon THUNGSAKUL * 2 Abstract Khon Kaen is Thailand’s fourth largest city with an urban population of approximately 150,000. Beginning as a small settlement, it has been developed into a major city of the northeastern region. In 1962, the Thai Government launched the frst National Economic Development Plan (NEDP) which aimed to provide adequate basic facilities for living. From the 1st to the 4th NEDP, an extensive expansion of infrastructure accelerated the growth of urban built- up areas in order to accommodate the increasing demand by new immigrants who were moving to the city center. Khon Kaen City became a center for health care facilities and communications. Development strategies for the 5th to 7th Plans shifted attention to eco- nomic growth and industry. The city has changed its role from an agricultural-based economy to an industrial center. The later series of development plans set the focus on in- ternational co-operation. Khon Kaen has been proposed to be developed as the logistic hub of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries. The 10th NESDP (National Economic and Social Development Plan), operating from 2007 to 2011, with its focus on the management of human and environmental resources, has proposed the next interest- ing step for the city. NEDP/NESDPs have been one of the key factors that have continuously contributed to the urbanization of Khon Kaen City. This paper aims to provide an overview of the series of NEDP and NESDP that have been driving the city toward new challenges in develop- ment and transformation of urban structure. Keywords: The National Economic and Social Development Plan, urbanization, Khon Kaen City, Thailand I. Introduction Khon Kaen Province occupies an area of 10,885 km 2 with a total population of 1,767,643 in 2003. It consists of 25 districts, comprising 2,284 villages in 198 sub-districts. Khon Kaen City (KKC) is the capital and urban center of the province, situated in the poorest region of the country. The majority of the population of Khon Kaen Province belongs to the Phaw Thai (Isan Thai) ethnic group (subgroup Laos- Vieng) who migrated from the present-day Lao PDR. In the city, Chinese–Thai people domi- nate commerce and industry, with many people from other provinces being attracted to work in the public service sector or to study at Khon Kaen University. Khon Kaen Province shows the highest population growth rate in the north- east region, and Khon Kaen ranked as the top in the region in terms of gross provincial prod- uct (GPP) in 2002 (National Statistic Offce, 2004). The information strongly supports the view that KKC is not only the regional center by its location but is also the “actual” economic and services center of the region. * 1 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University * 2 Faculty of Architecture, Khon Kaen University