Create space for the future but not erase traces of the past
Architect Tran Huy Anh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Association of Architects acknowledged that what needs to be avoided when planning Hoan Kiem Lake is to look at history as something that must be kept in its original state. Because Hoan Kiem Lake itself has undergone many changes and each period has left a mark in this space.
From traces associated with feudal dynasties, the urbanization process according to the West to modern-era works, Hoan Kiem Lake is containing many layers of memories. The value of this place lies in the continuation between those layers of history.
Hoan Kiem Lake is a heart, a place to "calm the soul of mountains and rivers" after thousands of years. This is the center of a city that is both eternal and changing, a place where values that need to be preserved and values that need to adapt to development coexist," architect Tran Huy Anh said.
According to him, when setting a 100-year vision, planners must do what predecessors have done: Create space for the future but not erase traces of the past.
The important thing is to identify the core values. History must be seen as a continuous evolution, which cannot be broken. At Hoan Kiem Lake, history is reflected through many periods: feudal, modern, socialist period and even the period towards the future. Planning therefore needs to show a multi-colored picture, fully reflecting the imprints of different historical development stages, as well as the identity of Hanoi," he emphasized.
According to architect Tran Huy Anh: "Change is adaptation; eternal value is culture, history. Water surface landscapes have no time when reflecting thousands of years of history on the water surface and hiding under the water layers of age-old historical traditions. Historical landscapes are nurtured by the memories of generations, where each tree root, blade of grass standing there is also a connecting thread with many lives... creating a human connection with a proportion in space and across space that needs to be preserved. No matter how modern it is, it needs to be close to people. If the size exceeds that proportion, it will become increasingly unfamiliar to people and urban space will no longer have vitality".
Suggesting many new spaces in the future
Sharing with reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, former Chief Architect of Hanoi City, said that Hoan Kiem Lake cultural space always receives attention not only from the people of the Capital but also from people across the country. The renovation of the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake area will open up many new spaces in the future.
Hanoi Capital has had 9 urban embellishments, from the planning in 1961 directly directed by President Ho Chi Minh to this architectural planning, all have meaning. Hanoi has 9 special areas, in which Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas are of great concern to Party and State leaders of various periods with many directions and foreign experts.
Since 1995, the Hoan Kiem Lake area has had detailed planning, this adjustment is necessary but must be carefully considered and widely consulted with the people nationwide," architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem said.
The Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association further shared that to have reasonable planning, we must identify the value of heritage and historical relics in the Hoan Kiem Lake area. The development of technical infrastructure, exploitation of surrounding landscapes, and upgrading the space of streets such as Hang Khay, Trang Thi, Trang Tien, Dinh Tien Hoang and areas around Hoan Kiem Lake... have also been studied in many scientific topics and urban design projects over the years.
According to Mr. Nghiem, in recent years, many projects have been accepted, there have been specific proposals, but in the end they have not been approved by the people, lack of resources, so they cannot be implemented. For example, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square area has organized 2 competitions to renovate this area, but so far it has not been renovated.
To deepen the architectural planning of Hoan Kiem Lake, Mr. Ngoc Nghiem said that we need to consult the experience of foreign experts, and see how other countries expand their capitals.
Urban expansion is necessary, but no matter how much it is expanded, it is necessary to pay attention because the public space system is very important. The exploitation of water surface area and green trees must also be paid special attention to, because some trees are heritage, carrying many long-standing cultural sediments.
“We are not only interested in building new works but also need to pay attention to ancient relics such as Ngoc Son Temple, But Tower, Ba Kieu Temple, Hoa Phong Tower...
From the experience of other countries, we take the option of respecting the natural landscape, proposing to rebuild the landscape with criteria such as: Harmony, civilization, culture, creativity. With the role of the Capital, Hanoi really needs to gather intellectual forces, good architects, and cultural researchers to have a unified architecture," the Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association expressed.
Renovation of spaces is necessary
Cultural researcher and playwright Chu Thom shared that when going on business trips and traveling abroad, he saw many countries in the world renovating urban landscapes but still preserving heritage and historical relics with caution.
Hanoi is the "heart" of the whole country, so embellishment and planning need to get broad opinions from the people. Urban renovation projects often have different opinions, the reason is that many people are "familiar" with the old but society is constantly developing, so renovating spaces is necessary," Mr. Chu Thom said.
According to Mr. Chu Thom, no matter how the renovation or planning of the Hoan Kiem Lake area is, he also hopes that this area will still retain its own beauty, space, cultural and historical sediments, and be a destination for domestic and foreign tourists every time they come to Hanoi.
