Tran Mai Anh, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo Room 914, Bldg 14, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, JAPAN
Lecturer, Urban Planning faculty, Hanoi Architectural University Km 10, Nguyen Trai Road, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, VIETNAM Email: tranmaianh96@gmail.com
Research Interests • Broad: Planning system, Development control • Specific: informal vs. formal development in developing countries
Abstract: Spatial planning system in each country has its own characteristics, follows different approach in response to its social and historical background. Generally, there are three approaches of urban planning including master planning, zoning planning and detailed planning. Vietnam follows the detailed planning approach using detailed plan as basement for development control. The current planning system was shifted from the original centrally- planned one in 1986, with various changes in ideology, procedures, contents, etc. The rapid urbanization under market forces has put a great burden on development control, especially in big cities like Hanoi and Hochiminh. This research was to track the transformation of urban planning system in Vietnam under the political-economy transition from the central-planned to market oriented economy.
In this research, together with literature and document review, a case study in Hanoi urban fringe area was carried out to illustrate the problem of current planning system, especially the role of detailed planning.
It was found that the current development control system based on detailed plan is principally directed to formal housing developments of a certain level, not for booming informal and disorder development in many parts of the city.
It is recommended that a more flexible development control mechanism should be introduced to create affordable housing, particularly through individual small-scale housing developments. The outcome of this study emphasizes the importance of developing spatial planning system based on its historical and social background as a workable framework of development control.
Abstract: Spatial planning system in each country has its own characteristics in response to its social and historical background. Generally, there are three approaches of urban planning including master planning, zoning planning and detailed planning. Vietnam follows the detailed planning approach using detailed plan as basement for development control. The current planning system was shifted from the original central planned one in 1986, with various changes in ideology, procedures, contents, etc. This research was to develop an institution framework for analyzing the transformation of urban planning system in Vietnam, tracking the transformation of urban planning system in Vietnam under the political-economy transition from the central-planned to market oriented economy. In this research, comprehensive analysis was carried out to point out problems of the current planning system, especially the role of detailed planning by literature and document review. The main argument is that even though the transparency of legal system has been improved, the planning documents become more difficult to obtain while legal normal documents (laws, decrees, implementing ordinances, and provincial decisions) have become easier to access. It is found that, (1) there is a transformation of urban planning system from central planned economy in to market-led economy; (2) however, the current planning system has not yet response to the demand of the market-led development; (3) The role of detailed planning in the new period plays much more important role in promoting new urban development
Finally, an examination on the need and the way for improving the detailed planning framework as well as development control mechanisms was carried out. It was found that the current development control mechanisms based on detailed plan is principally directed to formal housing developments of a certain level, not to booming informal and disorder development in many part of the city. It is recommended that a flexible development control mechanisms should be introduced to create affordable housing, particularly through individual small-scale housing developments.
In addition, the outcome of this study emphasizes the importance of developing spatial planning systems based on its historical as well as social basis as a workable framework of development control mechanisms.
Abstract: Spatial planning system in each country has its own characteristics depending on its social and historical background. Generally, there are three approaches of urban planning, including master planning, zoning planning and detailed planning. Vietnam follows the detailed planning approach using detailed plan as basement for development control. The current planning system was shifted from the original centrally-planned one in 1986, with various changes in ideology, procedures, contents, etc. However, the rapid urbanization under market forces has put a great burden on development control, especially in big cities like Hanoi and Hochiminh. The current planning system provides platform for the exercise of discretionary space is utilized to negotiate by the developers. This research was to examine the practice of detailed planning in Hanoi city with some case studies in Cau Giay district, to provide evidences of planning negotiation within development process. In this research, a framework was drawn out to examine and identify the activities of negotiation from both developers and planning authorities. Some evaluation factors were borrowed from Jim and Bryan (1997) to evaluate the developersâ characteristics including the structure and nature of developer as well as their interests, the nature of development, the political culture, and the merits of the gain. In parallel, the planning authority is examined by organizational procedure, the degree of delegation and the nature of negotiations as well as the preparation undertaken. It is understood that to achieve sustainable development, it is necessary to consider the benefit balance among developers, planning authority and citizen. This paper, suggests a negotiating framework which shapes the process of negotiation. It can be concluded by highlighting the relationship between development control and negotiation process which require integrating and managing.
Abstract: This paper is composed of two parts. Part I of the paper will examine the spatial planning systems in Asian countries comparatively. The history of spatial planning systems in Asia is not long except for some countries, but they have been gradually developed since 1970s in many countries. Spatial planning system in each country has its unique characteristics in response to its social and historical background. In principle, they can be grouped into three approaches: the detail planning approach, the zoning plan approach and the master plan approach. Part II of the paper examines the need of and the way for improvement of development control mechanisms through the case study in Vietnam. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the importance of streamlining of development control mechanisms is important to facilitate the supply of affordable housing in particular through individual or small-scale housing developments.
Abstract: Vietnam has been under a period of transition since the Economic Renovation from a centrally planned to a market oriented economy started in the late 1980s. The changes in the national economic system have been promptly reflected in urban development patterns. The urban planning system, however, has not been sufficiently adapted to the new economic and political reality. This paper aims at examining urban planning practices in Vietnam and, at the same time, investigating the un-orderly development due to the rigid plan in most of urban areas, especially, in the newly expanded area under rapid urbanization. To reveal the under- going transformation process in the peri urban of Hanoi city, a case study was carried in Phu Thuong Ward by questionnaire survey and key-informant interviews. A review on another case along the newly established corridor Lang Ha-Thanh Xuan road contributes more the evidences of the big gap between urban planning and reality in Hanoi city. It was found that planned and un-planned growths are rapidly occurring at this peri-urban fringe without adequate infrastructure. Moreover, in many cases, the development did not follow the approved planãcausing chaotic image of the city. In conclusion, Vietnam urban planning system still has a number of constraints: inadequate legal framework, weak law enforcement and unclear policies as well as lack of coherence between elements. Confined by rigid technical standards, Vietnam urban planning generally lacks phasing and incremental development mechanisms to response promptly to the reality. Urban plans are generally not effectively converted into specific short-term programs and, as a result; do not provide useful guidelines for channeling urban growth or providing adequate infrastructure. In short, in stead of planning and managing urban development, the current urban planning system is just struggling to adjust its plan to catch up with reality. More strategically, better-integrated and flexible planning methods need to be adopted to meet the demands of the market-oriented economy.
Abstract: It is obvious that changes in socio-economic and political context often have great influences on urban development, especially in developing countries. Vietnam, a country that has been enjoying annual GPD of 7-8% since 1995, is currently under two transition processes: one is the change from rural to urban-based development and the other is the shift from the centrally-planned to market-oriented economy. These processes have brought about great impacts on the structure of cities, especially at the peri-urban areas of major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, etc. At these areas, agriculture lands are being severely encroached upon and many rural villages are being overwhelmed by the wave of urbanization without being equipped with essential amenities. While informal or un-planned developments are booming spontaneously at these peri-urban areas, the urban planning system has not been sufficiently adapted to cope with dynamic urban activities. Rooted from previous centrally-planned economy, this current rigid command-and-control system of urban management has due consideration on formal development, but less concern on informal development.
To reveal the under- going transformation process in the peri- urban of Hanoi city, a case study was carried out in Phu Thuong ward. The ability as well as shortcomings of current urban planning systems in dealing with spontaneous dynamic urban activities was investigated. The analysis was carried out on information obtained through questionnaire survey and key-informant interviews.
In this study, three main layers of spatial planning were examined to reveal the reasons why this top down system fail to manage spontaneous development which lead to the failure of ensuring sustainability. In addition, the roles of various involved actors of the planning system were clarified to show the process of making and implementing plan.
It was learned that the current planning system with rigid technical plans is very effective in realizing governmental projects, but weak in controlling informal developments.
In conclusion, rooted from central- planned economy, spatial plan created by the top-down urban planning system and rigid technical standard is dragging behind the rapid urban development. There is an urgent need for a more participatory approach in urban planning in the transition process of market oriented economy and a more flexible development control system to be applied in peri-urban cities.
Abstract: In Vietnam, the shift from a centrally planned economy to a market oriented one in 1986 by Economic Renovation has prompted the rapid expansion in the city suburb. Such rapid urbanization is occurring mainly not in the planned-large-scale residential areas but in or surrounding existing rural villages. This study investigated the causes of spontaneous development, characterized by informal land subdivision, illegal self-reliant housing construction and, cal-de-sacs self-creation in Hanoi urban fringe. The current planning system, however, is restricted by the lack of feasible means to control informal development caused by household's self -reliance. Obviously, this spontaneous development without appropriate infrastructure results in various impacts on built environment, and, therefore, deserves due consideration. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for paying more regard in such informal development. Finally, the study recommended that detailed plan, a basement for development control, should be available in these urban fringe areas, flexible regulation applied together with strict penalties and basic infrastructure prioritized in investment. In addition, subdivision control, a tool that has been applied successfully in other Asian countries, is believe to be effective to ensure that the plots are created in accordance with detailed plan and directly accessible from basic infrastructures.
Abstract: In Vietnam, the shift from a centrally planned economy to a market oriented one in 1986 has prompted the rapid expansion of the city suburb, especially the household-based urbanization. The spontaneous development, characterized by informal land subdivision, illegal self-reliant housing construction andãcal-de-sacs self-creation, is unavoidable in such circumstance. This study investigates causes of spontaneous development in Hanoi urban fringe through a case study carried in Phu Thuong Ward of Hanoi City.
It was found that the current planning system is restricted by the lack of feasible means to control informal development caused by household's self -reliance. Local government needs more experiences, control tool and legal basement for controlling and monitoring informal development. Obviously, this spontaneous development has many negative impacts on built environment, and, therefore, deserves due consideration.
The study concluded that: (1) Formation of spontaneous development due to the reluctant response of the government to the drastical increase in individual household-base development, (2)The current top-down urban planning system lacks of feasible means to control small scale development done by householdâs self âreliance, (3)Lack of basement for development control, (4)Cal-de-sacs self-created during informal land subdivision worsen the already inappropriate infrastructure system, (5)Various impacts of spontaneous development on the built environment of Hanoi urban fringe will prevent opportunities for necessary expansion of road, the creation of commercial area and open space. As a result, the upgrading of these spontaneous development areas in the future will be more costly than planned one.
It is recommended that detailed plan should be established in these urban fringe areas, flexible regulation applied together with strict penalties and basic infrastructure prioritized in investment. Importantly, the capability of local government should be strengthened while the participation of people in community promoted. In addition, subdivision control, a tool that has been applied successfully in other Asian countries, is believed to be effective in ensuring that the plots are created in accordance with detailed plan and directly accessible from basic infrastructures.
