Urban Green Areas – their functions under a changing lifestyle of ...

tool for this job is a (master) plan, which lays out the intended course of future
development.
1.2.1 Phases of urban planning in Hanoi
Several phases of quite different approaches to urban development can be identified from
the very early beginning of settlement in the Hanoi area. In times of peace periods, master
plans were directed at developing the economy. In the periods when the country was under
threat, priority of master plans was for defense. Planning development of Hanoi will be
reviewed briefly following.
1.2.1.1 Hanoi’s plans before 1885 (see PHUC 1994: 40- 56)
The Hanoi area has been settled since the late Stone Age (1500 BC). Until the seventh to
eighth century BC, the Hanoi terrain developed stably and appeared much as does today.
There were many lakes of different sizes which arose as rivers such as Red River changed
their courses.
Agriculture is an important aspect in Vietnam socio-cultural development. This aspect has
had great effects in changing the landscape. Dyke and irrigation systems are, on the one
hand crucial infrastructures for agriculture and flood controlling systems, on the other hand,
they served as a measure important for the development of feudal dynasties.
The city of Hanoi, then known as Thang Long, became the capital in 1010, under the rule
of king Ly Thai To. The city plan was symmetric with five gates (Figure 1.3). It was
designed to serve agriculture development.
“Ho Tay” la e
To
Lich
river
Red
river
Dy e’s stair : Dy or e’s belt stair road: or belt La
road: Thanh La – De Thanh La Thanh – Duong street – De
La Thanh
: Capital gate
Hoan Kiem lake
Kim Nguu river (Gold Buffalo river)
Figure 1.3: An outline of for the Thang Long capital (Hanoi)
Source: own source
Three large rivers serve as the sides of an equilateral triangle. The basic outline of this city
is still visible in the structure of Hanoi today.
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