Urban water management in Hanoi city Prospect and challenges
Abstract:
Hanoi
- the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - is one of the
oldest cities in Southeast Asia. Its history spans several thousands
of years l, and the city's formation and development are closely
linked to the evolution of river and lake systems. Hanoi is
spatially structured by water - in the form of the mighty Red River
- Song Hong or Song Ca (Mother River) - and an extensive network
of natural and man-made lakes. In Hanoi, ancient traditions of Feng
Sui (the science of wind and water) placed special reverence on water
bodies and their relationship to/ importance for/ meaning for
settlements.
Historically, Hanoi's
water paradigm served to (1) integrate different aspects of life and
(2) to adapt to and to a certain degree accommodate the forces of
nature. Today - in a period of economic liberalization and
transition from tradition to modernity - water is often regarded
from a singular and dominating perspective (be it political,
technical or commercial). Considering the fact that both urbanization
and climate change are increasing, water issues represent incredible
challenges which Hanoi is already facing today.
This paper aims to give
an overview of the challenges and prospects of water resource
management in the context of urban development in Hanoi. In order to
do this it will analyze current aspects of the city's urbanization
that influence the water system, the impact of climatic changes on
the city's environment and the feasibility of an integration of
water management projects into the master plans for Hanoi.
First, the paper will
review and analyze the history of Hanoi and processes of urbanization
which include issues linked to urban development and environmental
protection. In this context it will focus on conflicts and
relationships between urban development and the environment, such as:
population growth and migration, inadequate infrastructure capacity,
land-fills, , the drastic transformation of the existing landscape,
land speculation, encroachment along canals, rivers and lakes, loss
of public space and an increased vulnerability to flooding...
Secondly, the paper
will introduce water related planning projects in the plan for
comprehensive urban development of Hanoi Capital up to 2020 -
HAIDEP, JICA and in the master plan. These projects help us to
realistically assess water resource planning and management for the
current situation according to its effectiveness, capacity,
feasibility, and shortages ...
In conclusion, water
resource management is very crucial for achieving the vision of Hanoi
as "The City of Culture - Water Surface - Greenery"
and in order to ensure sustainable development. Urban planning
policies and strategies limit negative impacts on the climate ,
improve people's awareness of issues connected to the management
and preservation of water resources and are much needed in order to
ensure a bright future for the city of Hanoi.
Mrs. Ta Quynh Hoa
Faculty of Architecture & Planning, National University of Civil Engineering (HUCE), Hanoi, Vietnam
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 14_Hoa_Urban water management in Hanoi city Prospect and challenges.pdf | 4.26 MB |