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

1.2.1.4 Period 1964-1974 (see CHIEN 2006; NGHIEM 2004)
The war in southern Vietnam increased in intensity and America began to invade North
Vietnam. Although constructing was still proceeding, it became imperative to concentrate
on defence and security. The capital master plan was therefore modified by concentrating
on development at the southern Red River, in an area which had many advantages for the
preparation of a military base to protect the capital.
1.2.1.5 Period 1975-1986 (see CHIEN 2006; NGHIEM 2004)
On 17/07/1976, the council and the government issued Decision No. 163/CP approving a
plan for a 1,500,000-inhabitant city. According to this plan, a suburban area was established
as a green belt providing food for the city. Within this lay the areas for cultural activities,
for the transportation centres and a belt set aside for environmental protection. The
neighbouring cities function as industrial centres, agricultural zones, and resorts.
These two phases described above followed a top-down planning process, which was
adopted from the Soviet model and included five planning levels: “(1) economic-technical
feasibility study; (2) general plan; (3) development plan for the first stage of
implementation; (4) a detailed implementation plan; (5) an execution plan” (HOREN 2005:
170). The top-down process was intended to be strictly implemented. To ensure the
strictness, the master plans were not made publically until the late 1980s (FORBES 1995,
cited in HOREN 2005: 170).
1.2.1.6 Period 1998 to date
In the land management system of Vietnam, urban areas include six levels, based on the
size of population and administrative level. This system frequently operates on a regional
level with the consequence that a city includes urban areas in the core and rural areas in the
outskirts. The structure inside is uneven: high and dense development in the core area, low
development in the outskirts.
On 20/06/1998, the Prime Minister approved the master plan for the capital Hanoi in 2020
(Decision No.108/1998/QD-TTg). The basic criteria about the green parks (and sport
places) in the master plan are as follows:
Improvement and renovation of existing parks: Bach Thao, Thong Nhat, Youth, Dong
Da
Planning for a new park: South Park culture, the My Dinh Sports Complex, Van Tri,
City Park for Peace, Friendship Park
The flower garden and small parks in urban areas.
During 2004 - 2006, a new master plan for Hanoi Metropolis area was created which
mainly focused on Hanoi city and the surrounding urban areas. (THONG 2004: 6-7).
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