the missing pieces

Not given enough attention

According to Master of Architecture Nguyen Hoang Linh - Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Planning, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, urbanization is always accompanied by the fragmentation of green space structures into small, disjointed pieces with poor ecological quality; the loss of green spaces due to land-use conversion and the construction of technical infrastructure systems leads to the hardening of the land surface…

Today, people have a better understanding of the simultaneous socio-cultural benefits gained from living in harmony with nature, spending time in nature and interacting with animals, which have a positive impact on human health and alleviate negative psychological issues of urban life, as well as happiness and educational opportunities for children…

These shared benefits support the concept of developing "cities that are more human-centered," aiming to organize urban landscape spaces not only as living spaces for humans but also as places where humans and wildlife can live in harmony.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Linh, systematically implementing and promoting interaction between humans and wildlife in urban planning and design is not yet common practice because humans are facing several major challenges.

Land scarcity is a major concern for many modern cities that prioritize human-centered development and consider wildlife to be part of and necessarily preserved in dedicated nature reserves. Wildlife in urban environments can provoke mixed reactions, with some urban residents viewing animals as a public nuisance.

"This is still a new issue and has not received adequate attention in the process of organizing urban space in our country; it is an inevitable trend of the 21st century in the current context where the world is facing serious problems of declining environmental quality, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the quality of human living space... on a global scale," Mr. Nguyen Hoang Linh shared.

Many benefits

To develop planning strategies that integrate urban wildlife into urban planning in order to create habitats for these animals.

The pressures of urban growth encourage designers to explore how to optimally utilize urban nature by maximizing and enhancing ecological functions, increasing multifunctionality and resource efficiency to create ecological balance despite high urban density in a limited land area.

Other efforts include restoring lost urban natural landscapes and enhancing connectivity with other natural spaces in suburban and outlying areas to create an open ecosystem network. This approach has been implemented in several cities around the world and has proven effective, such as the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project in Seoul, South Korea, and the Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park Project in Singapore.

According to experts, wildlife can help mitigate the impact of climate change in cities. Greater biodiversity will bring direct benefits to humans and can also help protect human health by controlling disease-carrying insects.

For example, the West Lake area plays a crucial role in Hanoi's urban development as a scenic tourist attraction and climate regulator, while also preserving its unique ecosystem. Despite its elevated location, the main lake and surrounding ponds and wetlands are able to regulate rainwater for several areas around it. This constant exchange allows the area to self-regulate, maintaining a stable balance.

Ms. Le Thuy Ha, M.A., from the National Institute of Urban and Rural Planning, stated that a green urban spatial structure requires the preservation and prioritization of natural landscape structures. Developing architectural and landscape orientations should be based on zoning plans linked to natural conditions and functional uses. Once land, water bodies, and natural ecosystems have been transformed, recovery is virtually impossible.

In existing areas, preserving and utilizing historical and cultural elements will enhance the competitiveness of the city. Preservation, combined with the renovation and upgrading of public spaces and existing areas, will create a unique identity for each city.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/phat-trien-do-thi-xanh-va-ben-vung-nhung-manh-ghep-con-thieu.html