Preserving and upholding values of Ha Noi Old Quarter Heritage confronting with the modern urban development

Ref.: 320
Key theme: 01 Physical integrity of historic urban landscapes
Date of reception: 05/12/2008

AUTHORS (*Main author)

MINH TRI, Luu * (Viet Nam) - Association of Thang Long ­ Ha Noi Heritage and Culture Preservation

ABSTRACT

Development history of Ha Noi capital has bequeathed a valuable heritage: Ha Noi Old Quarter. The tasks of preserving, embellishing and upholding values of Ha Noi Old Quarter Heritage is both urgent and long-term. Together with the participation of international cities and organization, the authorities of Ha Noi city and Hoan Kiem District have been carrying out the program called Hanoi Old Quarter preservation.
Conserving the heritage of Ha Noi Old Quarter to confront with challenges of the modern urban development requires the exact planning orientation as well as the practical and proper solutions. The problem here is how to preserve essentially the spatial architecture of Ha Noi Old Quarter whose traditional houses are tubular-shaped in the community of handicraft and business along with the activities of beliefs, religions and festivals to face with challenges of the modern urban development and exciting market economy.
The speech mentions about some key guidelines ­ orientation and the proper solutions to preserve and uphold values of Ha Noi Old Quarter Heritage ­ "36 ancient street area", along with the Thanh Long Imperial Citadel Monument.
The speech includes the main contents as follows:
1. Introduction: Ha Noi old Quarter is being preserved. However, it makes questions about orientation and solutions in order to ensure the tasks executed effectively.
2. The general idea of Ha Noi Old Quarter Area
3. Some ideas about the real situation of Ha Noi Old Quarter. The dangers and poor management has been causing the historical urban area. Architecture of contemporary building are interposed and immeasurably high, overshadowing the heritage houses.
4. Guidelines and orientation in planning as well as the intinerary to preserve, embellish and uphold values of Old Quarter Area keep being discussed. What range of preservation? How to protect and embellish the traditional houses? How to preserve the primary streets, street routes and squared streets? Conserving the immaterial heritage is in association with embellishing heritages of belief and religion.
5. Executive policies and mechanism. The Government and people together take part in repairing and embellishing the Old Quarter, particularly the heritasge houses. Cooperating and exchanging experiences with the global cities on preserving the ancient quarters.
6. Conclusion: Hanoi Old Quarter is an alive entity, always changes and develops. Preservation and embellishment must be united and harmonious between the landscape of the historical city and the contemporary architecture, in accordance with building the cultural-spiritual life linking the tradition with the modernity among people living in the Old Quarter at the same time.
g. Subject: Based on Subject 1 and a part of Subject 2.

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