Supporting integrated urban water management in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor
We are supporting the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) to develop an integrated urban water strategy and build capacity to implement it.
The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Background
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is a key element of achieving the Thai Government’s national growth strategy for the country. This corridor comprises 3 provinces – Rayong, Chonburi and Chachoengsao – that have experienced strong growth and investment for over 30 years, reflecting their connection to other countries in the region.
The compounding pressures associated with climate change and rapid population growth are a potential constraint on achieving the Thai Government’s objectives for the EEC. So, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) is partnering with WSCA to:
- develop an integrated urban water strategy for the EEC
- enhance capacity for strategy implementation
- foster linkages between EECO and Australian experts.
A potential constraint on achieving its objectives – and one the Thai Government recognises – is climate change. The country is highly vulnerable (ranked 62 out of 181 countries) to climate change impacts such as floods, droughts and sea level rise.2
2 World Bank and Asian Development Bank, 2021, Climate risk country profile – Thailand, World Bank, Bangkok
What we’re doing
This collaboration builds on the long-standing Thai–Australian cooperation in integrated urban water management. It leverages Monash University’s global leadership in water systems and climate adaptation, and WSCA’s applied experience in delivering water sensitive city approaches across Asia Pacific.
WSCA provides a comprehensive suite of strategic, technical and capacity-building services to support the transformation of the EEC into a resilient, inclusive and climate-adaptive region.
We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work closely with EECO over several years – supporting practical application of NbS on a large-scale greenfield site and developing the tools, partnerships and regulations needed for upscaling.
Ben Furmage, WSCA CEO
Designing a new smart city
This area involves developing a suite of urban design strategies for the new EEC Smart City (EECiti), embedding water management into land use planning and infrastructure delivery. WSCA is working with EECO to:
- Design stormwater treatment cascades and green infrastructure
- Plan multifunctional public open spaces that enhance biodiversity, water quality and urban amenity
- Develop a suite of comprehensive guidelines that cover the urban, precinct and building level which considers how to optimise density, water needs, and infrastructure performance at different scales.
- Provide inputs into the development of a pilot project – the Creative Urban Village Precinct – to demonstrate low-impact, inclusive and climate-adaptive development during early site activation, building on a Meanwhile Strategy that fosters economic growth before the city’s establishment
- Explore innovative financing models to enable private-sector development of public spaces based on ecosystem services.
Understanding future water balance scenarios
As the EEC grows, competition for water is increasing. Major infrastructure investments are planned but climate change and variability introduce uncertainty around what is needed where, when and by whom.
In collaboration with EECO, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA), we developed a simple Water Balance Scenario Tool (WBST) as an aid to exploring demand and supply options and outcomes. The tool supports strategic water planning under climate and development scenarios, by enabling dynamic modelling of water supply and demand. Under guidance and close consultation with EECO, Monash leads the tool’s technical design and provides scientific and modelling expertise.
Launched in March 2025, the tool will be further developed and refined through the Sustainable Water Management Committee. Formed in May 2025 by FTI and 9 public and private organisations, the committee aims to enhance Thailand’s integrated water management and water efficiency. The tool is listed as a key component under the Water Balance pillar.
Pricing water for the future
This area involves working with EECO and RID to review water pricing for the EEC region. Outputs will include:
- A conceptual pricing framework and demonstration financial model
- A roadmap that considers cost recovery, affordability, and social equity
- Recommendations that embed gender equity, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles into pricing strategies.
Building capacity
Capacity building is a central focus of the collaboration. Working together, WSCA and EECO are delivering training workshops, technical briefings and knowledge exchanges that strengthen EECO’s internal capabilities and foster cross-agency collaboration. These efforts include:
- Reciprocal study tours between Thailand and Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra) for EECO, RID and academic partners
- Technical workshops on scenario planning, the WBST tool and nature-based solutions
- Guidance materials, policy briefs and reports to support Thai water and urban planning agencies.
What does a Water Sensitive City look like?
The CRCWSC has produced research, guidelines and
tools related to the following topics:
Integrated Urban Flood
Management
Climate change
mitigation
Community
engagement
Economics and
business case