Capitalist Modernization Threat to Historic Urban Landscapes and Their Sustainability: Investigating Critical Situation in Hanoi's French Colonial Quarter and Proposals

Ref.: 226
Key theme: 03 Visual integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 14/11/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

TO, Kien * (Viet Nam) - National University of Civil Engineering

ABSTRACT

Hanoi is one of the ancient capital cities in Asia with different historic urban landscapes (HUL) of rich culturo-historical layers. Besides its significant Old Quarter that dates back to 1000 years ago, it possesses a remained colonial quarter, often called Hanoi's French Colonial Quarter (HFCQ), which was built by and for the French colony. The area was gradually developed during the late 19th century and early 20th century, stretching out Southern area of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ba Dinh District and the Northern area of the Old Quarter. The street system was designed in a typical Euro-centric checkerboard pattern. Some streets were designed in boulevard style with big trees and beautiful villas lined up along the streets.

Along with the regional drastic economical growth and urbanization, Hanoi has transformed swiftly and often uncontrollably since the shift of Vietnam to Market Economy in 1986, and been caught between desirable economic growth and the need for sustainable new development plus cultural property conservation. Day by day, many invaluable old buildings have been "invaded", occupied and modified for commercial needs throughout the two quarters. Compared to the Old Quarter, HFCQ has remained its original architectural landscape better. Yet as a matter of fact, along with the enhancement of economic growth and modernization in the metropolis, HFCQ has transformed severely within recent years, particularly in the building façades which substantially shape the HUL.

This paper, first, generally demonstrates how heritages contribute to the identity of place, the values of historic city center as well as its essential connection to peripheral new urban areas. It also overall answers the questions like what is the cultural sustainability of historic city centers, how conservation is related to sustainable development, how new "global-style" architectures are identity-less, "lost" and mismatching in the historical local contexts, or how can contemporary architectures be integrated harmoniously in a HUL.

Next, the paper focuses on HFCQ, investigates the current critical transition situation by making extensive and thorough pictorial documentation of recently modified facades, and addresses emergent issues. Then it analyses the causes of the problem, such as new business investment and capitalist development, the continually rising urbanization load in the inner city, the failure of local governance and management in controlling the situation, the lacks of common concern, consensus and actions, lacks of coordination, dialogues and negotiation among stake-holders, lacks of updated academic research and practical initiatives, etc.

Finally, the paper proposes some strategies and solutions reflected in different dimensions such as architecture, planning, socio-economics, management, etc.

REFERENCES