Negotiated urbanism: Informal adaptations of Thai townhouses for mixed residential and commercial use

Abstract

This research examines the widespread informal modifications of townhouses (also known as row houses) in Thailand, particularly in urban and peri-urban districts. These adaptations reflect systemic disjunctions between formal planning frameworks and the emerging spatial economies of urban and residential–commercial hybridity. With the rise of small-scale entrepreneurship and flexible workspaces, townhouses are increasingly being repurposed for mixed-use, often outside the scope of legal and planning oversight. Through fieldwork, interviews, and architectural analysis, this study identifies types of modifications and examines their relationship to property characteristics, socio-economic drivers, and spatial needs. Findings reveal systemic shortcomings between policy intent and lived practice, underscoring the need for a more inclusive, adaptive, regulatory approach that aligns with grassroots spatial agency and urban resilience. This study contributes to discussions on informality, everyday urbanism, and housing governance in rapidly transforming Southeast Asian cities.