A View through Paradoxes of Transport Development in Hanoi Ancient Quarter, Vietnam

A View through Paradoxes of Transport Development in Hanoi Ancient Quarter, Vietnam

Ngo Minh Hung, Wong Yunn Chii, Heng Chye Kiang

(Accepted in: Velocity 2007 International Conference, Munich)

Abstract

Hanoi Ancient Quarter, established from Lý Thái Tổ King period (year 1010 A.D), is the core of present Hanoi city as a political, economic centre of Vietnam. From the beginning, a simply mixed urban fabric, namely “Kẻ Chợ”, were gradually appeared by traditional tube-houses built and professional merchant streets named specifically in accordance with rudimentary transport. After ten centuries, this urban context is undamaged, typically square “3-7 meters width” road-network, extreme narrow alley and the house corridor (0.5-1 meter), which are literally fit for an ancient town featuring bicycle, cyclo (xích-lô) and pedestrian street. Unknown travel patterns seen as present are mixing traffic flow causing congestion, conflict and pollution for the Ancient Quarter’s value and, especially poorer community’s living condition. Lacking space to motorized vehicle raises difficulties for Hanoi authority and local dwellers because of various encroachments in bounded areas.

To deal with the research method is conducted to fall in two-folds: (1) re-assess original elements (bicycle, pedestrian and unique trading culture) constituting local uniqueness and; (2) make use of flexible locations for traffic and rudimentary transport. Therefore, the major planning strategy enhancing cultural knowledge as well as upgrading infrastructural quality and facilities is proposed accordingly in order to properly overcome meeting phenomena in order to improve quality of life in the Ancient Quarter – the one of National heritage sites.

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