The sustainability of Thai Park was the central focus of this master's thesis in Integrated Design. The research explores how design thinking and design methodologies can be applied to address complex challenges within an existing urban and social context.  Thai Park is a well-known cultural meeting place in Berlin, celebrated for its Thai food culture and informal street-food market. However, its operation has also generated a number of environmental, organisational and social challenges, creating tensions between different stakeholder groups. The aim of this project is to explore how Thai Park can preserve its cultural identity and community value while developing into a more sustainable and responsibly managed public space.  The research follows a bottom-up, user-centred approach, involving different stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns and perspectives.

Through participatory research, the project identifies key challenges and explores solutions that balance the interests of all parties. The findings highlight environmental impact, insufficient infrastructure and a lack of coordinated management as major factors contributing to the park's existing problems.  

Design Solution 01 – Campaign Design  As a short-term intervention and the first step towards change, the campaign aims to raise awareness among park users, particularly food vendors and visitors. It communicates the environmental and organisational challenges facing Thai Park and encourages responsible behaviour and collective participation. The campaign is designed as a repeatable initiative to promote awareness and build a shared sense of responsibility among the community.  

Design Solution 02 – Service Design & Management  A long-term management concept is developed to support the sustainable operation of Thai Park while preserving its traditional character. The proposal explores how an organised management service could coordinate daily activities, improve communication between stakeholders and establish shared responsibilities. Rather than fundamentally changing the existing way of operating, the approach focuses on creating a more structured, considerate and sustainable system.  

Design Solution 03 – Spatial Design  The master layout translates the proposed management concept into a spatial framework. Based on the findings from participatory research, the design addresses existing spatial and infrastructural challenges while supporting the traditional street-food market activities. The layout aims to improve organisation, circulation and the overall use of space, enabling vendors and visitors to continue using the park in a more sustainable and harmonious way.