VIVA ORAL E-2009

Affordances of Heritage Environment: A Conservation Approach to Hanoi Ancient Quarter in Vietnam

Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to be presented with due permission of National University of Singapore, the Department of Architecture for public examination and debate in Centre for Instructional Technology, CIT Auditorium, Computer Centre Level 2, NUS (Singapore) on the 30th of November, 2009 (Monday), at 2.30- 4.30pm.

Abstract:

Efforts in architectural heritage conservation can be characterized as either top-down or bottom-up. In developing countries, including Vietnam, the efforts to retain the physical value of heritage sites, however, have been marked by considerable difference of views and arguments over the contents and approaches. This dissertation proposes a framework to enable communities to assess the values and meanings of these physical environments, to clarify their (users’) relationship to the urban and heritage environments.

The dissertation adopts Gibson’s “affordances” (1986/ 1979) to analyse critically various stages of these relationships. A conceptual integration, “affordances of urban heritage environment” (ASHE), has been used to examine the “place contribution-user possibility” interaction (CPI) in both outdoor and shared contexts in order to proceed towards a “ground-up profile” (GUP) approach in conservation. The research uses a quantitative and critical research method involving sampling, surveys, interviews and secondary data in three residential blocks of the Ancient Quarter in Hanoi, Vietnam. The quantitative research was based on purposeful sampling method, consisting of semi-structured interviews with the indigenous community and layout-based sketches of urban principal elements, which involved spatial places and the exploration of the existing significant properties of the blocks. In addition, critical research was conducted through in-depth interviews with selected user-groups to analyze available affordances at three levels (perceived, utilized and shaped). Through these analytical processes, the study highlights ASHE as a significant way to think about: (i) the heritage environment’s contribution and; (ii) the user-group’s possibility in the urban context. It then provides conclusive evidence on four behavioral models (nuclear-based behavior, vacancy-based extension, linear development behavior, multi-functional encroachment) that determine the phases forming the block’s typology. These behaviors reflect the unique development rules of the parcels in supporting the user to control positively the physically changing factors. Next, the distribution of functional affordances helps to identify the significant characteristics of Phố Nghề (handicraft trades street, that is, Hang Bac street) as compared with those of Phố Buôn Bán (trading streets, that is, the remaining streets of the Ancient Quarter) and how people have identified their possibility to meet the goals of “the place-usage”.

In order to help the users to work out potential affordance-oriented plans at three levels, the CPI method focusing on paired interactions is proposed to raise the heritage users’ knowledge of potential affordances in community-based conservation towards the block’s identity. Finally, the GUP approach is formulated to develop the action framework with five “mapping” steps, which can be applied to construct the attitude and behavior of certain groups with respect to the conservation of Hanoi Ancient Quarter. This also may be used for certain areas having similar conditions in other developing countries (Source: NUS).

This thesis consists of an overview and of the following 3 publications:

• Ngo Minh Hung, Wong Yunn Chii, Heng Chye Kiang (2008). Examining Conservation Possibilities on Urban Heritage Environment- Its User relation in Hanoi, Vietnam. HERITAGE 2008, PORTUGAL.

• Ngo Minh Hung, Wong Yunn Chii (2006). A Schema for the Conservation of Tube-Houses (Hanoi, Vietnam). CONSERVATION IN CHANGING SOCIETIES, Leuven, BELGIUM.

• Ngo Minh Hung (2005). Re-planning structure and Socializing conservation of “Hanoi Ancient Quarter” towards Sustainable Urban Development in Vietnam. 6^th APRU, Oregon, USA.

Thanking A/P JW for the great photos of my study life.

Improving The Living Conditions of A Low- Income Community: Focus on Sanitary Management in Hoan Kiem District- Hanoi, Vietnam

By Dao Thu Ha

(Published in Asian Institute of Technology- Thailand, 2004)

Abstract

Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam with a rich cultural heritage reflecting nearly 1000 years of history. With a large population, the living condition in central Hanoi particularly is seriously deteriorating. Sanitation management is one of the key issues for improving the living condition of Hanoi’s center, the ‘36 Old Street Quarter’, location in HoanKiem district, which is one of the most populated districts of the city. Rapid urbanization process through the increase of commercial and tourism industries have made sanitation environment as big problem in this central part of the city. The purpose of this study has been to contribute to improve the living condition for enhancing quality of life of the study area. With this in view, the primary data was collected through questionnaire survey of sampled residents, field observation and interview with the officials of local government. The necessary secondary data were also collected. SPSS software was used as the main tool for analyzing the data. To achieve the research objectives, the field work was conducted in 10 phuongs of HoanKiem district with a total questionnaire survey of 70 households.

Main findings of the research reveal two aspects of sanitary condition. Firstly, on the indoor hygiene side, it is found that households are currently using double-latrine and pit latrine, both of which are inappropriate for this high population density of Ancient Quarter. Leaked water is increasing sanitary woes in their houses, especially, in surrounding areas seriously the water taps and low-land areas attract mosquitoes and other dangerous insects that affects human health of the community. On the outdoor hygiene side, it is found that the existing drainage system is not separated from the sewage line causing of mud and sludge. The findings on policy show that investment capability of local household for improvement the sanitation is there but the State, HPC and HoanKiem district authorities have no policy to make investment for improving sanitation quality.

Policy recommendations made to improve the conditions focus on the following aspects. First, for improving indoor sanitation, DTPWs and HASM should support the local people in planning and constructing a proper water supply system. About latrine use, double latrine should be replaced by septic tank toilet.  Household should be encouraged to move in this direction. Secondly, for improving outdoor sanitation, public toilet facility should be provided in each of the phuongs in the Ancient Quarter. These facilities should be integrated into the built form, accessible at street level and open from at least 6.am to 11.pm seven days a week or if possible 24 hours a day with proper supervision and regular cleaning each day and night. However, road drainage should be upgraded as part of improvements to physical infrastructure of the Ancient Quarter. Other recommendations drawn from the research include involving environmental NGOs, academic groups and government officials to raise the awareness of the city residents for giving care and attention to improve the environmental condition in the city in general and in respective neighborhood in particular.