DEVELOPING THE WALKING STREETS IN THE CENTER OF HANOI

Hanoi city has been developing pedestrian streets in the central area. In 2016, the Walking Space aound Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas was a successful start-up project in exploiting the streets for this activity. However, it can be seen that the walking streets in Hanoi today are not really itself, the space of the streets has not been organized synchronously and effectively exploited.

The article discusses the current issues of space in Hanoi’s central pedestrian streets and some solutions to optimize spaces, exploit existing values and meet the increasing needs of city residents.

The formation and development of walking streets in the historic inner suburbs of Hanoi

The formation and development of Hanoi walking streets

The center of Hanoi during nearly 10 centuries has not changed significantly in location, which is the area in 4 districts of Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung and Dong Da. This is the place where cultural, commercial and service activities at national and international scale are concentrated as well as the location of many administrative and political headquarters of the State.

The orientation of pedestrian street development in the process of construction and development of the Capital is always mentioned. However, due to limitations in financial manpower as well as other conditions, the implementation is still delayed.

At the National Urban Conference in the 1990s, the problem of walking streets was raised, but at that time the walking streets were only arranged in the space of monuments and parks. By 1995, the detailed planning of Hoan Kiem Lake area and the Old Quarter area implemented by the Vietnam Association of Architects planned walking streets in the direction of urban development but failed to implement it. It was not until 2016 that the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem District developed the project “Walking space around Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas” in Hanoi to have a successful walking city organization area, but limited in time – only on holidays and weekends. New public pedestrian street projects have been formed and implemented in the past 15 years and Hanoi city is leading in the number of walking streets in the country.

In the planning direction of the construction of the Capital, walking streets were identified very early. As follows:

Location and distribution of walking streets in the central area of Hanoi

The distribution of walking streets in the historic inner suburbs come in two forms:

• Form 1: The walking street is oriented in the planning with the function of public space in the historic central area; concentrated mainly in the old town area, Sword Lake area and surrounding areas, where there is a treasure trove of material values (121 relics, of which 25 relics have been ranked national) with a full range of types of works diverse and attractive religions, beliefs as well as intangible (people’s lifestyles, activities; traditional cuisines, festivals…) have contributed to the imprint of Thang Long – Hanoi thousand years of culture.
• Form 2: Walking streets proposed by each area (district, ward) locally and used by the mining organization. For example, Trinh Cong Son walking street, Tong Duy Tan walking street, book street or “Ong Do” walking street are organized for a while, however, the efficiency of exploitation and use is not high.

Walking streets mentioned by timeline

Problems of walking street space in central Hanoi

In fact, Hanoi does not have a walking street meaning itself . Pedestrian streets are deployed in Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding areas or streets in level 1 conservation areas, Hang Ngang st, Hang Dao st … simply block motor vehicles, organize events on weekends from 19h 6 to 24h Sunday, Tet holidays … then call such things a walking street.

Because of such utilization, the space of the walking streets in the center of Hanoi is generally poor and monotonous, without detailed designs, so it is less attractive, lacks identity, has no highlights, has not diversified public activities, lacks trees and green space,  lack of small decorative structures and urban utility equipment. In addition, it is difficult to access the transport system, especially public transport, parking lots.

Walking streets formed and developed year by year

The hot and humid tropical climate is also a significant obstacle to walking on the streets.

Hanoi’s central walking streets are mainly distributed north and south, so both sides of the street are affected by the east sun in the morning and west in the afternoon. Most of the streets are sunlit at most hours of the day, so walking activities mainly take place in the early morning or evening. Some streets have trees on either side but the shade of trees is not enough to cover pedestrians.

Diagram of the system of walking streets in the historic inner suburbs of Hanoi

Diagram of the system of walking streets in the historic inner suburbs of Hanoi

Organizing the walking street space in the center of Hanoi

1. Function: Unlike walking streets in Europe with the main function of trade and service, Hanoi walking streets are also public living spaces of urban people. The buildings on the pedestrian street have mixed functions, in a combination of trade and services; meet the variety needs; attract pedestrians coming at any different time. Or you can organize separate walking streets according to specific topics (cuisine streets, book streets …) to serve each target group, not arranging works that require access to motor traffic such as banks, treasury, political administrative agencies . . .

2.Architectural works

1. Architectural form

The facade of the building has a great influence on the attractiveness of the walking street. The facade is vivid, detailed and interesting and gives pedestrians a sense of welcome and lingering. In contrast, monotonous, unattractive facades and few windows will form dull, unsafe streets for pedestrians at night.

• The works located at the intersection of streets need to have a unique and prominent form to create a highlight
• Renovation or new construction works must have colors, forms suitable and harmonious with the works built on the street, in order to create a synchronous architectural whole.

1. Materials

• Materials for paving surfaces of the street need to be sustainable, well loaded, anti-slip, easy to clean, safe for pedestrians and diverse colors and types to attract attention, reduce fatigue for pedestrians, use street paintings that change the visual and attract pedestrians.
• 

Illustration of materials used for walking pavement

1. Signage and billboards

• All kinds of signboards and billboards must be designed synchronously in color, size and materials, friendly form and close to the culture of Hanoians, avoiding the use of imported materials;
• Signs in public areas should be bilingual, Vietnamese and English. Strengthen signage for people with disabilities, the elderly and children.

1. Greenery

• Enhance many different types of trees in the walking street space: Trees on both sides of the road, fixed or mobile flower beds, trees on the facades of the building, climbing flower trellises …;
• At the tree basins should be planted low, trimmed and artistic shrubs combined with shade trees;
• Arrange greenery with seasonal blooms to characterize each street; or a complex of trees in clusters, groups to create landscapes.

1. Urban utilities

• Urban utility equipment must be made from local materials, highly durable, adaptable to hot and humid climates, size suitable for space;
• Lighting devices are used in a variety of designs to serve the needs of lighting buildings and increase the safety of street spaces.

1. Mobile awnings

• The height limit of mobile awnings is at least 2.7m from the summer surface and foldable roofs from 2.25 to 2.5m from the summer side;
• The eaves on the sidewalk protrude beyond the construction limit of no more than 4m;
• Mobile awnings can be replaced with climbing or soft-bodied trellis to landscape the streets and shade pedestrians on streets with large sidewalk widths;
• It is encouraged to use a variety of roof formats with rich forms, materials and colors, but it is necessary to ensure the regulations and management of the city.

3. Solutions to improve microclimate conditions for each typical street

There are three typical street groups as follows:

• Walking street with a large road crossing: Phung Hung; Ong Ich Khiem, One-pillar pagoda, Dinh Tien Hoang;
• The walking street has a median cross-section: Hang Buom, Dao Duy Tu, Hang Giay, Dinh Liet, Gia Ngu, Cau Go, O Quan Chuong, Hang Dao, Luong Van Can …;
• The walking street has a small street cross-section: Ta Hien, Ma May, Luong Ngoc Quyen, Gam Cau …

Illustrations of billboards and signage

Illustration of greenery design combined with chairs

1. At the street with a large cross-section: Wide sun angles should use trees to create shade, wind, dust and air conditioning for pedestrians. Effects of trees: Trees can block 50-90% of the total amount of solar radiation acting on the ground. The temperature in the green zone is 10-12% lower than the empty zone. The total temperature in the shade is 30-40% lower than in the sun

Planting a tree is a highly effective shading method, so in the design it is necessary to consider:

• Plant followng the streets around the works;
• Planting tall canopy trees ensures cool summer ventilation;
• Low canopy trees block the cold winter monsoon;
• Low trees combine tall trees that direct the wind.

Solutions for streets with large cross-sections

1. Medium cross-sectional streets: Use mobile awnings with appropriate sizes for each street. Agree on colors, types and layouts. With a sunny direction of α = 60 degrees, the roof is now mobile or fixed as shown below.

Trees are used in combination and arranged together on sidewalks to reduce temperature and increase shade area for pedestrians.

On both sides of the sidewalk, the roof should be fixed, using portable green tubs arranged and replaced alternately:

• The architecture has a splash box that runs through sections of high-rise buildings;
• Combine reasonable directions;
• Forms sidewalk roof coverings and rain shelters for pedestrians.

Illustration of drinking fountain, Water Square; Lighting space

Illustrations of using mobile awnings on walking streets

1. Streets with small sections: Due to the impossibility of arranging trees, the use of portable awnings can be considered for use when necessary and collapsible when not in use. However, there needs to be management and supervision to create aesthetics for the street

Conclusion

Organizing walking streets is an inevitable trend to optimize space and improve the efficiency of using the central area of Hanoi, preserve urban heritage, develop the economy, reduce traffic congestion, protect the environment and improve the living conditions of people in Ho Chi Minh City.

The space of walking streets in the central area of Hanoi is currently unattractive and lacks amenities as a consequence of taking advantage of some motorized roads, not having designs suitable for their own characteristics. In addition, the organization of walking streets in Hanoi also faces other challenges such as hot and humid tropical climate, incomplete transportation system, especially public transport.

The organization of walking streets needs synchronous solutions, systems from general planning – urban master to detailed designs such as trees, flower beds, paving materials, artistic lighting … … to create independent and safe walking areas; contributing to building a green- clean- beautiful Capital, economic development and health promotion for communities.

Solutions for medium-sectional streets