TRYHANOI at the World Urban Forum

The 4 presentations and sharing-points included in this event provide different perspectives on and approach to public spaces in Hanoi of Vietnam:

1) A documentary about domestic migrants and public space in Hanoi discusses issues of public space access and use for urban-rural migrants, illuminating the difficulties they face and the coping mechanism they use to integrate into urban life.

2) Migration access to public spaces and social integration summarizes results of a study conducted in Hanoi on access and use of public space by disadvantage youth rural migrants, ie., industrial, domestic and informal workers. Living in low-income areas nearly devoid of formal public spaces, they mainly use the sidewalks and small tea stands as public space. While these spaces suit their living conditions, they play a limited role in their integration into the city life, a question in need of policy attention.

3) Sketch and public space: an association of sketchers (Urban Sketchers Hanoi) flourished in recent years that uses public space in a new way, besides traditional socializing and recreational activities. The story of this group raise new ideas about ways to organize, share and use public spaces to connect people of diverse lifestyles, in different cultures, landscapes, heritage, areas of the city, etc.

4) The mural project as public space development and community bonding is centred on the Arts Build Communities (ABC), an organization devoted to mural painting in older, lower-income areas of Hanoi. Their mural community projects opened up opportunities for social bonding and community participation in public spaces of Hanoi. ABC will share its experience and stories about how artists, communities, and other stakeholders have come together to transform public spaces functionally, spatially and perceptually in derelict neighbourhoods of the Vietnamese capital city.