Hanoi is seeking community opinions on the plan to partially adjust the Urban Subdivision Planning of Hoan Kiem Lake area and its vicinity. One of the notable contents is the proposal to expand Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and study the arrangement of the symbol "Khai Hoan Mon" in the North of Hoan Kiem Lake.
According to the overall plan, Hoan Kiem Lake space is studied to be organized as a large square, connected to August Revolution Square and the Opera House, forming the "History - Culture - Art" complex. The planning adjustment is placed in the orientation of the Hanoi Capital Master Plan with a 100-year vision.
Discussing the idea of "Kai Hoan Mon", architect Tran Huy Anh, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Association of Architects, said that this is an architectural type that has been shaped over many centuries, originating from Greece and Rome.
In many countries, Khai Hoan Mon is often placed on large spatial axes, in large squares and symbolic, associated with a historical milestone or victory of the nation.
In Vietnam, this is a new type of architecture, so it is necessary to continue to study the meaning, structure, location and form. How to make the project create a unique mark but still suitable for Hoan Kiem Lake is a question that needs to be answered thoroughly," architect Tran Huy Anh said.
According to architect Huy Anh, it is impossible to choose a symbolic work based only on its beautiful form or the ability to create visual highlights.
Hoan Kiem Lake is a special space, preserving many layers of history and culture of Hanoi.
Therefore, any new works appearing here should be considered in relation to the water surface, landscape, existing works and memories that have been formed through many generations.
This is a place to settle the soul of Vietnamese rivers and mountains, so all architectures brought into this area must have outstanding values.
A symbolic work cannot only be chosen based on its external form, but must be placed in the overall history, culture and landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake," Mr. Anh emphasized.
Architect Tran Huy Anh believes that Hanoi in the next 100 years will definitely change in population, lifestyle, transportation and public space use needs.
Hoan Kiem Lake also needs to adapt to those changes. However, the modernization process must be based on recognizing and preserving the core values of the region.
Change is adaptation; eternal values are culture and history. Impressions of the size of the river landscape and historical landscape associated with people need to be preserved," Mr. Anh said.
According to him, the scale and proportion of Khai Hoan Mon also need to be calculated very carefully.
A project that is too large, exceeds the proportion of people and is unfamiliar with the familiar rhythm of space can make the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake lose its closeness and friendliness.
Therefore, before deciding on a symbolic structure at Hoan Kiem Lake, it is necessary to carefully study what the structure will represent, why it needs to be placed in that location and how it integrates with the historical space of Hoan Kiem Lake.
The project may take 5 years, 10 years or 20 years to build, but thinking, researching and debating must start earlier.
The research and discussion process itself has created social value before the project was built," architect Tran Huy Anh said.
