Hanoi’s Population Claims for More Public Parks!

Le To LUONG1, Wilhelm STEINGRUBE2
1 “Ernst Moritz Arndt” University of Greifswald, Geography and Geology Institute, Greifswald, GERMANY
E-mail: luong@uni-greifswald.de, steingru@uni-greifswald.de
Pages: 95-99

Abstract. The city of Hanoi is growing rapidly since dedicates. This development brought not only a messy appearance but also problems in environment and social health. Due to several beneficial functions urban green areas (UGAs) should play a central role in urban planning, particularly in the inner city. This paper aims to figure out main issues in current utilisation of parks and gardens in Hanoi’s inner. Methodologically, it is a triangulation of counting, observations and user survey. About 1900 questionnaires have been done so far covering nearly all seasons since December, 2010. First findings show very intensive usages of the observed parks. Furthermore, the demand is varying regarding the hours of the day as well as over the course of the week. The activities people are doing in the parks show a broad diversity, also varying in the course of the day and week. The result notices that the low number of children in parks – even at weekends – can indicate on the one hand that they need (additionally) specific infrastructure. On the other hand it can be interpreted as a suggestion of a changing lifestyle of future generations. This topic has to be analysed more in detail in future. Due to the today insufficient supply with parks & gardens in the inner city of Hanoi and with regard to an expected growing demand based on the aging society an improved offer with UGAs is essential. A healthy & livable Hanoi needs more and better maintained parks and gardens.

K e y w o r d s:  urban green areas, Hanoi parks, urban sustainable  development, lifestyle