Some existing problems and solutions to conservation of architectural spaces and landscape in The Old Quarter of Hanoi

Ref.: 310
Key theme: 02 Functional integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 05/12/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

NGOC YEN, Do * (Viet Nam) -

ABSTRACT

Hanoi has been an old city with long history and development and original architecture. The Old Quarter of Hanoi has long history of nearly 1000 years since the King Ly Thai To moved the imperial city from Hoa Lu to Thang Long. In XIX century, together with The Ancient Citadel, The Old Quarter was an integral part of Thang Long, while expressing the strong relation between the citadel and the market of the Orient. Today, the quarter still contains many cultural and historical values which are great potentials for cultural heritage tourism. Nevertheless, The Old Quarter is being under risk of losing its tangible and intangible cultural values, especially the architecture. Many valuable buildings in the quarter have been trespassed, downgraded and even destroyed because of natural calamity and human beings.
The houses in The Old Quarter have great values of culture, history, art, architecture... In order to protect them, there need to have comprehensive measures. The conservation work is not limited inside the precincts of the buildings but extended to outside spaces.
1. Some existing problems
Because of the limited area and overpopulation, most of the buildings in The Old Quarter are very small. The landscape architectural elements such as lake, flower-garden, and trees... are symbolized and reduced to fit small spaces. These valuable elements have been decreased in urbanization process.
Investigating results show that, almost all the architectural objects and landscape have been trespassed with different levels, most commonly are:
- Trespass on land (Bach Ma Temple)
- Change of original function of the architecture (Duc Mon Common House)
- New houses are not in context with the old ones (O Quan Chuong)
- Construction and repair work not followed the conservation principles.

2. Some measures
- Planning and architecture measures: restoring the inner spaces and forms
- Administrative measures:
Prohibition against high-rise buildings
Clearance of trespass on land of valuable houses by material incentives

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