Many experts have voiced their support, as this is an opportunity to systematically plan the area around Hoan Kiem Lake to expand the space for cultural development and useful public spaces for the people. However, more important than the demolition of the "Shark Jaw" building is the implementation method and plan for the renovation of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Synchronous, systematic, scientific
Since 1995, the planning of Hoan Kiem Lake has opened up many spaces connecting with neighboring areas. After many years of development, the Hoan Kiem Lake area has not really been an open, connected space, suitable for the general landscape.
In particular, located right in the heart of the capital, opposite Hoan Kiem Lake - the cultural and historical symbol of Hanoi, the "Shark Jaw" building has been the subject of much attention in newspapers since its completion, receiving many criticisms from architectural and urban planning experts.
Talking to reporters of Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper, Architect Pham Thanh Tung - Chief of Office of Vietnam Association of Architects shared: "In the East of Hoan Kiem Lake, there are many constructions, of which Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square needs special attention in the planning and renovation process. When the French planned, they placed a fountain here, but later we built a 5-storey building. That construction has no special architectural mark, but because it is located in a prime location in the Hoan Kiem Lake area, it has become a place of interest to people. Therefore, the demolition of this construction item and some other constructions affecting the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake is necessary."
Evaluating the planning policy for the East of Hoan Kiem Lake, experts said that in the context of the need for innovation in urban landscape architecture to bring Hanoi and the whole country into the Era of Rising, in which the preservation and promotion of the values of the architectural landscape space of the core heritage of the Capital is considered to become the driving force to create a clearer identity and recognition of the city; at the same time becoming one of the driving forces for sustainable socio-economic development, the Hanoi People's Committee's project to renovate the East of Hoan Kiem Lake is a bold research orientation, but suitable for the situation and practical requirements.
Architect Pham Hoang Phuong - National Institute of Architecture (Ministry of Construction) shared: "Different from the previous approach, this research on planning and renovating the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake aims to enhance public space, open space, serving the community of the Capital's people. In addition to considering architectural objects, it also fully studies the value of landscape, trees, preserves and promotes the architectural values of cultural heritages and valuable architectural works, applies new scientific and technological solutions in lighting and decoration... which is considered to have a relatively synchronous, methodical and scientific approach".
Return cultural space
Before the "Shark Jaws" building was built, it was just a small one-story building used as a tram station. According to writer Nguyen Ngoc Tien - who has done extensive research on Hanoi: "The reason they built it so small was because they wanted to connect the old quarter with Hoan Kiem Lake. Spiritually, people wanted the sacred air from the Turtle Tower to flow into the old quarter and vice versa, the sacred air from the old quarter could blend into the sacred air of Hoan Kiem Lake". Therefore, when the "Shark Jaws" building was built, architects strongly opposed it. But at that time (the 1990s), the desire for innovation and development made people have to build it anyway. After it was built, there was another wave of protests because it was ugly, so it was repaired and it still exists today. "The demolition of the "Shark Jaws" building was favorable in every aspect, from space, landscape, spirituality... so I was very happy" - writer Nguyen Ngoc Tien expressed.
In reality, when organizing cultural and artistic events, Hanoi often has to organize them in front of the Opera House - which is essentially a traffic island. Therefore, Architect Pham Thanh Tung believes that considering expanding public space in Hoan Kiem Lake is extremely necessary. “Hanoi must create a community space for cultural activities so that when people come here, they can see the unique features and love Hanoi. Renovation and embellishment not only boldly demolish the "Shark Jaw" building but also demolish a few other buildings if they are deemed unsuitable, giving Hoan Kiem Lake back a friendly, close space, an open space, a space that is truly solemn, historical and cultural”.
Therefore, the space around the lake must be designed and planned to preserve its inherent beauty, enhance cultural and community values for future generations, not for material benefits. If demolished or relocated to build other high-rise buildings, it would be like “old wine in new bottles”.
For the benefit of the community
More important than the demolition of the “Shark Jaw” building is the implementation method and plan for the renovation and reconstruction of the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake. Architects believe that no more buildings should be built around Hoan Kiem Lake, but only reduced. All social facilities, traffic connections, and technical infrastructure can be buried underground. This is being realized by the Hanoi City government.
Architect Pham Hoang Phuong shared that, in the context of strong infrastructure development throughout the city, similar to many developed cities in the world, the renovation planning plan needs to combine synchronous research on the planning of the underground space system in this area. In particular, Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square is an important traffic junction connecting many areas of Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity, so it is necessary to consider arranging an adjacent entrance at the square, which can be integrated with the newly built underground space location after relocating the "Shark Jaw" building.
Hanoi City can study the organization of underground pedestrian corridor systems from metro stations to exit locations in the direction of optimally utilizing these spaces into public spaces, commercial services, and diverse indoor mass cultural activities, which has been successfully implemented in Tokyo (Japan) and Paris (France).
At the same time, research on the arrangement of outdoor stages to serve major cultural and artistic events in the capital, but it needs to be considered in a flexible way. Some items can be arranged at a reasonable level, but also plan for expansion when necessary to ensure avoiding waste and best suit practical usage requirements.
According to the leader of the Department of Planning and Investment, regarding the design and renovation plan of Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, the Department has given opinions and received approval from the City leaders on the completion of a separate urban design. The idea plan and solutions for organizing the architectural and landscape space of the square area include Dinh Tien Hoang Street, the surface of the blocks, Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Cau Go Street, Hoan Kiem Lake Street... the surface of Long Van - Hong Van Building, Hoan Kiem Lake Cultural Information Center, Thuy Ta Building.
In the future, the Department will coordinate and guide the People's Committee of Hoan Kiem District to establish a separate urban design project for the square area and streets in the North of Hoan Kiem Lake and South of the Old Quarter, with the main content being the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square area; coordinate with the consulting unit to consult the City Architecture Council, on that basis, complete and standardize the content of the separate urban design project.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/ket-noi-pho-co-voi-khong-gian-van-hoa-ho-guom.html
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