Vol. 4 (2) Dec. 2022

Article ID. JHSSR-1154-2022

Orientation of Alley Landscape Development in the Context of Urbanization and Climate Change in Gò Vấp, HCMC, Vietnam

Le Nguyen Ai Huyen, Phan Thi Hong Xuan and Phan Hoang Long

Abstract:

As the defining urban features of Hồ Chí Minh City, Việt Nam, the alleyway represents an important nexus of intervention for climate change adaptation as well as urban renovation to improve inhabitants’ daily lives. This article aims to lay the theoretical groundwork for looking at the alley space as a concept belonging to structural-functional school in order to identify its features and functions with particular attention to its role in the context of climate change and rapid urbanization. The concept is examined through the study of the alley space via primary research consisting of a description of the alleyways in Gò Vấp District and interviews of inhabitants and users of these spaces on the condition of the alleyways. Additionally, secondary research on the renovation and adaptation of alleyways in other context was conducted in order to identify possible policy grafting to Vietnam. Results show that many alleyways have insufficient infrastructure, vegetation, and safety standards as shown through both observation and participants’ responses. The planning of these spaces remain deficient in involving the local communities, especially when compared to international experience. It is concluded that the alley space is quintessential feature of the city’s urban landscape but its adaptation to ongoing developmental pressures have been inadequate. Adapting these spaces to the modern context while incorporating community voices in planning and implementation is not only, it is essential to the survival of the city.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37534/bp.jhssr.2022.v4.n2.id1154.p83