An environmental economic analysis for addressing the dilemma between urban conservation and development: a case study of the ancient quarter of Hanoi - Vietnam

Ref.: 298
Área temática: 02 Integridad funcional de los paisajes urbanos históricos
Fecha de recepción: 10/12/2008

AUTORES (* Autor principal)

DO, Minh Huyen * (Viet Nam) - UN-Habitat Office in Vietnam
PERERA, L.A.S. Ranjith (Sri Lanka) - Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

ABSTRACT

The dilemma between urban cultural heritage conservation and urban development has been a controversial issue in many urban areas all over the world. The involvement of many stakeholders with conflicting interests has made the problem complicated and required efforts of professionals in different fields. This study aims at addressing this dilemma in a city center with rich heritage content as well as busy commercial activities, the Ancient Quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam, by employing environmental economic analysis tools. Three scenarios reflecting aspirations of three main groups of stakeholders in conservation and development of the Ancient Quarter are analyzed namely Conservation scenario, Redevelopment scenario and Business as usual scenario. Cost benefits analysis results are used to identify a Compromise scenario with two criteria: (1) maximum net benefit for society and (2) equality in net benefits of stakeholders. The analysis is facilitated by the estimation of total economic value of cultural heritage in the study area, which is conducted with information from contingent valuation surveys with Ancient Quarter's residents, city residents and tourists. The study has revealed that with a limited financial source, cities in developing countries like Vietnam should have an analysis about their financial capability to see if it is possible to conserve their cultural heritage on a self financing basis or it is necessary to integrate conservation and development for a more feasible scenario. A delay in decision making and action due to insufficient of financial source may lead to worse situation. The case study has demonstrated that giving priority to development in a part of the heritage site may be the dynamic to conservation in the other part of the area and strategies should be implemented to achieve this Compromise scenario for a better urban built environment and sustainable development.

BIBLIOGRAFÍA