Hanoi can learn from Japanese experience in preserving heritage cities in the context the city's Old Quarter being greatly pressed by its high population density and the process of urbanization, according to Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Architects Nguyen Quoc Thong.
An old street corner in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung
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Experts also suggested other conservation options such as banning motorized vehicle in the old quarter, building underground transportation system and technical infrastructure, among others, Thong added.
He noted that for degraded buildings, the city needs to work out facelift and restoration plans. Besides, it is necessary to classify normal civil works and heritage works to make appropriate funding options. The above-mentioned solutions have been applied to renovate Japan’s Takamatsu old streets.
New constructions in the Old Quarter need to harmonize with the existing architecture and height of the whole area. Therefore, the preservation of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the responsibility of the whole community, Thong stressed.
Hanoi’s Old Quarter currently covers an area of about 105 hectares, embracing 10 wards and 79 streets of Hoan Kiem district. The characteristics of a typical old-time town make Hanoi’s Old Quarter unique and different from many old quarters in other countries.
In fact, the preservation of Hanoi’s Old Quarter has been carried out for many years. In 2012, the city relocated more than 1,000 households in Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Viet Hung urban area.
Currently, Hanoi’s authority is implementing the second phase of the project, which is planned to resettle more than 5,000 households to other areas.
According to Healthbridge’s survey, Hanoi’s population density has now reached more than 84,000 people/km², the highest in the world.
