Philosophy Urban Design Project

Ho Chih Minh city Phurong 4 : Revivifying resiliency by a holistic catalyst to cultivate a thriving vicinity L.H. Shamsul Centre of studies Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying , University Teknologi MARA , Malaysia

Abstract “Man has never made any material as resilient as the human spirit� the quote represent the vitality and paramount effect of the inhabitants to ensure the survivability of the community. Urban development creates a huge advantage for the beneficial needs of the economy of the locals and people who reside in specific region. Moreover so in the case of Ho Chih Minh City an enormous wave of elite development is currently being developed to accommodate the policy of the nation’s income and economical growth in the next two decade. However the conventional development of the urban city neglects the consequences of the actions which would devastate the local population and the local heritage which would then formulate a city without an identity. The perception is to grasp the core inferior nature of the locals where the crucial factor such as economical income and living comfort is vital for their survival to adapt and blend with the current development. Their resiliency will ensure the heritage of the place and identity in the long run and create a balance development for the city. The current decaying neighbourhood is healed with effective urban intervention phases which improves the individual which translate to the community and subsequently the place itself hence rejuvenating the crumbling local society in Phurong four region. Other hunches includes the renewing the housing typologies for the residential to prepare for the booming population increase by the coming decade. Furthermore the steps taken to re-establish public areas creating nodes and hub as an inducement for the area together refurbishing the waterfront perimeter for extensive programming for locals and visitors. Using the theoretical approach such as the organic and the machine model to adapt its traits in the urban scenario achieving the goals set up to have a thriving vicinity via the design strategies laid out.

Keywords : housing , public park , retail blocks , waterfront , economy , resiliency

1 Introduction

Figure 1.0 : Site images of Phurong 4 ; Figure 1.1 : 3D perspective image of site

The city of Ho Chih Minh city is Vietnam’s largest city in terms of population and the economic development which the city is ranked 1st in the nation. Ho Chih Minh city has various economical activities which becomes the backbone of the city and is the main factor to its increasing central business district expanding into other districts as well. Ho Chih Minh city has big market for tourism as it allocates certain preserved sites where historical architecture and national monument becomes the main attraction for visitors and locals alike. The site for the urban design intervention is located in district one [2]. District one is the main core of CBD of the city where inside of it lies certain smaller wards called “phurong� comprising of commercial area , residential housing , retail shop lots , public parks and the aligned the Saigon river which exist a body of waterfront at the site [8].

Phurong four as the image shows in figure one comprises of certain retails blocks, old housing blocks which have rat tunnel alleyways in the decaying neighbourhood [4]. Based on the figure two which shows the 3d massing of the site where the high rise hotels are built along the waterfront region and expanding into the local

residential and retail blocks. The current scenario sees the area not flourishing compared to certain more well-known places in the city, where the dilemma and potential lures to the design strategy for the implementation of the design strategies.

The location of the site is crucial in the future as the opposite development in Thu Thiem across the Saigon River will affect the development and programming of the site.

2 Site Setting

Figure 1.2: Shows the map of the site location and land use percentage The site is located at the northern region of the central business district of Ho Chih Minh City which is currently sprawling into a trend of high rise , commercial zoning to cater for the new growth and as a supplement to support the tourism sector. The total site area is approximately 27.4 acres where it is some surrounded

by high rise hotel at the eastern site which faces the Saigon River. There are other contextual element such as the existing residential, old decaying retail area emerging high rise building. The residential area have been there since 1802 which dates back to the Ngu Yen dynasty an original morphology of the area. The site in currently being developed into a new high rise pattern, in contrast the diminishing the growth of the local population. The high rise development will improve the city growth however the locals cannot afford the new planning hence would have to move out of from the city which relies on their workforce to build the development.[2] Local business growth is also currently in decline as buyers tend to not move venture in the less attractive places as such in the case of Phurong four which is dull and has low programming In terms of a public nodes and holistic types of retail blocks. The waterfront is not utilised due to the developers failing to see its potential in the long run [8]. The setbacks in the regions makes a vital opportunity for an urban intervention to rehabilitate the outcome of the site in the next few decades.

Figure 1.3 : Indicates the timeline morphology & existing site context

3 Potentials and Dilemmas The site has various potentials and dilemmas which contributes to the aim for the intervention sections in each smaller regions where the issues are arise which affects the current development growth of the area. The area region has multiple dilemmas which contribute to its diminishing community and lack of growth especially for the local population which would eventually be overrun by the emerging central business district development. The decaying shop lots and growth of the new development influences the land value which unable the locals to survive the expenditure hence abandoning their property and many move to cheaper rural areas. Furthermore the fluctuating low cost housing [6] where the population is subjected to increase in the next decade will cause less comfort of living and rural migration of the locals in the city. There are no public areas which can cater the locals losing the vital interaction node hence less appreciation towards the site. The waterfront region is not being fully developed into a programming potential however it is converted for parking spaces and garbage disposal site.

3.1 Dilemmas of the Site

3.1.1 Obscure shop lots & retail growth fluctuation The decaying the retail shop lots due to the lack of visual potential to the potential clients creates a low business profit for the entrepreneurs in that region which produces more abandoned shop lots as profits does not match the monthly rent due to minuscule profit margins will totally vanished the business alley in the next few decades as new development overwrites the old retail area. Therefore a formula is needed to retain the existence of the retail area via intervention.[5]

3.1.2 Soaring density in low cos residential area The increase number in population in Ho Chih Minh city would derived more people in the city centre area as workers will increase hence most of them would choose to stay near their workplace. However as the housing market and rent increases and less and less housing typologies is affordable the existing housing area in the site is limited and would create a low living conditions between the residents.[10]

3.1.3 Inadequate public realms for the local population The public park areas in the site location is mostly located near the hotel area which is only available to cater tourist from abroad rather than the local residents whom area not seasonal users. In this is a waste of space which as it goes against the rationale of target users and time spent of using the space itself.

3.1.4 Diminishing riverside space quality The western part of the site is exposed to the waterfront which is the Saigon River.

The existing riverside is not inserted with any community programming which can benefit the people in Phurong four. The waterfront is as a dumping ground for garbage waste and open space for parking which does not contribute to the urban regeneration of the area. [8]

3.2 Potentials of the site 3.2.1 Innovation of low cost residential blocks The increase population growth and unaffordable new housing development sets a new potential for a strategy to provide housing blocks using low cost material and construction method which derived by the community itself to cater their needs to sustain the city life in the next few decade.[3]

3.2.2 Revivify the retail area for economical growth The retail area is majority owned by the people living nearby at the housing site.

This is vital to rejuvenate as the shop lots will be the sole source of income for the locals to sustain their daily living and ability to increase the housing blocks and create new programming will is self-sustain by the locals via the profit gained at the retail zoning.[5][7] 3.2.3 Accommodating public space for the locals The current is lacking in public spaces for the locals which is imperative for the programming of the urban scape as without a public node the area will not have a street life which is vital for the urban conditions at the street level.[2] 3.2.4 Riverside space as new access route and injection of programming The Saigon River is mostly used as transportation for naval barge and minor shipping which is currently shifting to the southern parts of the city. The future elite development across the site which is known as Thu Thiem. The site has a potential to be a jetty access route for the site which will create services that would generate income for the locals as well as creating an attraction from the water themed activities hence strengthening the node of the area.[8]

Figure 1.4 : Infographic shows the site dilemma and location

Figure 1.5 : Infographic shows the site potential and location

4 Theory To overcome the dilemmas facing the site the strategy formulated is to neutralize the negative aspect by dealing with each dilemma in a holistic approach. The residential units are able to emerge as new typology fabric [3] which could cater the booming population using low cost materials to overcome the inadequate low cost housing [10]. Besides that using new intervention to create and insert new programming in the retail blocks to attract buyers from a wider range and perspective. The public areas will be establish at each potential spaces in small scattered fashion together with the revitalization of the waterfront which would be equipped with water activities and transportation linkages.

The origin of the theory is designated from the organic and the machine model [5] which is combined and then extracted into compartments of synthesis which is related to the urban issues facing the site region. The main idea is to have a holistic approach to enhance each dilemmas with the suitable characteristics of each theory.

Based on the synthesis four theories are adapted to influence the intervention in the residential, retail, public park and riverside area.

Figure 1.6 : Chart flow of the theory guide 4.1 Communal Advocacy In regenerating the site from being continuously at the falling phase of decaying the device is set as to heal the site to promote and expand its economical strength. The theory derived from its synthesis of the organic model where it is perceived the nature together with mankind collaborating solving the problem regarding urban collapse and environmental breakdown [2]. Communal advocacy means the subject of the community and interactions with activities of programming would heal the abandoned nature of the region with nodes and feeling of curiosity embarked by visitors would change the fabric the site [5]. The believe of micro small scale public hubs would create life as people would have a place to digest the expression of the physical aspects of the city, deriving the energy of genius loci identity of spaces and image of the place. The improvement facilities regarding streetscapes insertion of sculptures and urban furniture would be magnet elements in luring attractions. An active street life would create a healthy and vast programming hence rejuvenating the urban district.[5]

4.2 City as a living organism The theory synthesised on the imperative of spatial spaces to connect people efficiently in the exterior and interior settings. Connectivity just like a cell must be well coordinated where people and communities can interact and meet in a daily basis where a basic conversation would create a micro nodes insertion of programming which is at a micro level that would refine the linkages and connectivity enhancing the urban nodes and refreshing the experience of users in the urban areas [1]. The importance of the living organism also reflects the vital economic strength which can drive the force of development of an area.

Economical strength would able commercialization to take place where improvement of public facilities and creating a new identity would have a positive impact on the urban intervention [2]. The holistic balance of this approach would result in a positive aspects to rejuvenate any sort of urban scape.

4.3 Kinetic city intervention The theory indicates to the plug in city concepts where in the kinetic city is flexible and permeable orientated massing device forming from the traits of machine model is relevant is producing an urban structure which would effective in terms of future additions blocks to cater the increasing number of people [5]. The intervention applies to the residential areas where the conceptual theory indicates plug in city is efficient in highly dense area just as the case of Phurong four will be relevant due to its tight space and vast population percentage [10]. The kinetic element also reveals the ever changing typologies to the units which can be manipulated by using faรงade texture. The theory believes in developing a sense of excitement for the people visiting the area never a stillness scenario and a constantly changing of image and identity will abolish dullness and boredom creating a sense thrill of the place.

4.4 Intricacy of passages In the urban design the pattern and connectivity of routes for pedestrian gives an enormous impact towards the experience of users which are able to be converted into memories and thought process by the individual sprawling via the urban area [9]. The theory stresses on the importance of the wayfinding and the urban planners grip in controlling the routes to emulate the virtual dimensions in which an individual could digest the fifth sense of the area via walkways and its response to the physical layout of the urban scape [9]. A superior connection within spaces would evoke an efficient circulation to identify the most potential points for programming and an overall gesture to create a systematic routes in the urban intervention phase [4].

Figure 1.7 : Diagrams of the concepts morphology

5 Thesis Statement From the theories mention above, first and foremost is the revitalising the residential region using the theory of the communal advocacy characteristics and injecting the elements to the residential to rejuvenate the inhabitants making the place lively again via community nodes and spatial spaces [2]. Furthermore cultivating cultural programming and spaces for the public in which to create new nodes and improve existing nodes in the area where the increase connectivity creating a good vitality to the urban prospects [7]. Besides that injecting the retails shop areas with variety of programming cater to a wide range of demands that will interest more visitors to the region , in addition the decaying “rat linkages� will be equipped with street furniture using those linkages and making them liveable in sense of public areas [4][9]. The financial prudence strength generated by the retailing zone to support the survival of the local residents to improve their living areas being independent without fearing their extinction caused by the newly elite development. The riverside region is processed into a vast water activities and programming which is used to utilized the geographical terrain of the waterbody [8]. The water transportation and lack of linkages at the district would be an opportunity to create interesting parks and facilities to attract communal concentration at the region which is currently unused and not taken into an urban design opportunity [2].

6

Hypothesis

This urban intervention aimed to regenerate the whole region by looking at each perspective which relates to one another creating a chronological intervention. The main injection is by inserting a new typologies for the dense residential housing using affordable construction to cater the population increase and the decrease of low cost housing due to the vast growth of the central business district [3]. The next phase is by revivifying the retail shop lots creating a programming which would attract a community central magnet hence creating an income for the locals there strengthening their survival and resiliency to continue living in the city and are not

affected by the hike of land value and elite property development [5]. Lack of public parks especially for the local population creates a distress where there is not life at the street level diminishing the essence of a good urban place referring to John Montogomery theory [1]. The waterfront buffer and installation of creative spaces will create a node at the river link where water transportation and jetty will be the magnet for the area in the future to come [8]. Applying all the necessities and formula to the urban region will refresh the situation of the region being a successful urban fabric and as model that can duplicate in other areas.

7 Urban Design 7.1 Strategies Based on the digestion of the theories applied certain urban framework are formulated to be injected in the urban design arbitration to produce a well organize installation in the urban redevelopment progress. The following are certain ways to enhance the idea which is set to tackle the urban issues. [1]

Figure 1.8 : Various strategies application of the urban intervention

7.1.1 Re-Use, re-programming and re-branding of retail shop lots The main idea is to identify the conditions of the existing vacant building in the retail area which is imperative to identify the program in which each block is suitable to sustain [11]. Category one will be vacant blocks which is fit in terms of structural and basic supplies such as electricity and water flow. Category two are blocks which need repairing based on its structural condition and basic supplies.

Moreover the third category are block which are vacant and is not fit for any adaptive re-use programming which are likely to be demolished.[1]

The retail shop lots will be installed with new more vibrant programming in which would target a broader client based on demands of the local population. Vacant blocks will be re-use and refurbished interiorly and exteriorly to enhance appearance and theme to rejuvenate the currently decaying retail blocks.

Figure 1.9 : Design strategies in rejuvenating the retail blocks

7.1.2 Injection of public area pockets The vacant blocks which are demolished will be converted into public blocks where pockets of public spaces. The spaces are used 24 hours a day to accommodate the needs of the visitors and locals which changed according to time.

Daytime open spaces are left for playground and social areas while night time the spaces are used as a night time market and open gym.[4][5]

7.1.3 Wayfinding routes and pedestrian efficiency The wayfinding routes is applied via the theory of intricacy passage to lay an efficient route for the pedestrians and visitors which will create a better holistic expression of the urban scape to the community [9]. An efficient way finding will help people to reduce time and to guide them to their intended location proficiently.

(Figure 2.0) shows the passage and circulation strategies. [5]

Figure 2.0 : Figure shows the typology of pocket public park & circulation strategies

7.1.4 Colour coding retail blocks application Retail blocks in the old shop lots area are refurbished with the installation of colour screens which is coded base on their programming [7]. Besides making the exterior more interesting it also serves as an indirect lighting at night saving cost on the street lights.[1] (Figure 2.1)

Figure 2.1 : The colour coding based on programming application at the retail blocks

7.1.5 Plug-in residential blocks intervention The population increase leads to the demand of housing in which to make it affordable and sustainable the plug-in blocks are inserted on the blocks which are the most populated to increase living comfort amongst the locals [6] . The blocks are based on modular dwelling system with basic necessities installed in every plug-in typology [10].

Figure 2.2 : Diagrams shows the intervention sequence of plug-in housing 7.1.6 Residential recreational programming and mini farming Each component of the newly designed public spaces in the residential housing zone will have its own recreational areas to boost the communal gesture between neighbouring blocks [3]. The idea of the mini farming is where the local area able to sustain their own food supply and also use it as a source of income to be sold in the retail areas. Back lanes which are currently being infested with garbage and a spot for crime will be converted into entertainment and recreational hubs [10].

7.1.7 Rejuvenation of “Rocket house” tourism The term “rocket house” originated from the form of the shop houses which sprawl up to five to six floors without a proportioned size creating an interesting skyline for most urban low income areas in Ho Chih Minh City [10][2]. The various potentials of the typology could be exploited in the tourism industry where it is commercialized and improved in term of facilities and accommodation. The general aim is to create an income source for the locals via tourism.

7.1.8 Generative production of typologies for sufficient design The early stages of the design approach is to create various amount of typologies to feed the design innovation of each issues in every sector of the site such as residential , retail blocks , public park plans , and waterfront design [3]. The aim is to verify and choose the best and most superior massing idea amongst the many typologies produced [5].

Figure 2.3 : Various of typologies regarding all the urban components

7.1.9 Passive and active application of sustainable approach Sustainability is a common theme in every architecture approach as the global awareness towards the conservation of nature is at the pinnacle. Passive and active sustainable elements are implemented to each of the zoning areas to accommodate and utilise the environmental feature available at the site location [11]. The strategies also gives a positive occurrence in terms of lower cost of energy consumption for the area.

7.2.0 Adaptive re-use of public realms Public parks in the site is currently are none of existence for the locals as all of the green spaces are lawn owned by the hotels which provide some sort of public spaces to the visitors which are seasonal users [7]. The programming of the new public parks will consist of spaces for all the users such as wifi-spots, x-games, youth hang-out, food stalls, water features and other park elements [9]. (Figure 2.4)

Figure 2.4 : Public realm re-planning with injection of activities

7.2.1 Reanimate the waterfront location The waterfront region will be converted into theme park for water activities and jetty terminal for the upcoming elite development across the site. This is a potential which will contribute tremendously for the economy of the site. The waterfront will be equipped with spaces which is interactive for the visitors and also acts as a catchment area for jobs to be allocated for the locals [8]. Figure 2.5 and figure 2.6 shows certain images which shows the intervention regarding the waterfront section.

Figure 2.5 : Diagrams indicates the waterfront add-in features

Figure 2.6 : 3D perspective of the waterfront area proposed

7.2.2 Re-cycle and Re-use of material for urban development The main inspiration of the planning is to lower cost of the building of the residential where the demolished blocks at the shop lots will be recycle as a construction material in the housing plug-in structure [10]. The waste which is produced in the area are reused in the hardscapes and landscapes of the area while others and dumped into furnaces of the housing blocks which will be converted into electrical energy [11]. Recycle bins with interactive messages to attract people in the recycling process. The materials reuse will allow less carbon foot print emission and secure a cleaner region of the urban site [11].

Figure 2.7 : Visualisation of the waterfront area in Phurong 4

Figure 2.8 : Visualisation of the retail blocks intervention programming

Figure 2.9 : Visualisation of waterfront area proposed intervention

Figure 3.0 : Reuse of timber recycled material for garden furniture

Figure 3.1 : Visualisation of waterfront area water residential intervention

Figure 3.2 : Types of green features applied in the urban design intervention

8 Phase Development The developed phases are categorised into four major sequences which starts with retail blocks followed by the residential blocks. The following phase will be continued with the installation of the public park and finally the intervention of the waterfront area. The phasing development will ensure an efficient progress of the urban development. The stages of the development are illustrated in (Figure 3.0)

Figure 3.3 : Images stages of development phases

8.1 First phase (Retail blocks) The first phase concentrates on the retail blocks which is vital as it is the main source of income of the locals living there. The intervention will allow the economical boost for the locals, once the income source is achieved they will have the ability to overcome the housing blocks where the installation cost will be affordable due to the stabilization of the retail zone [1].

8.2 Second phase (Residential blocks) The next phase is the construction of the residential blocks together with the enhancement of the rocket housing. This stage will be the catalyst for the development of housing units to cater the population growth all around Phurong 4 [10]. By this stage the site will be booming with trade and population growth. The revitalising effect can be seen with the ever sprawling dwelling blocks in the residential sector.

8.3 Third phase (Establishment of public parks) With the increase in population density it is vital to provide an established park for the people to enjoy the scene in their neighbourhood as well as promoting recreational event and festive occasions which will lure for more programming potentials in the site.[11] 8.4 Fourth phase (Waterfront promenade) Once the all the first three phases are complete the inland progression of intervention is now complete. At this stage the waterfront area is developed as the elite development across Thu Thiem is at the completion stage by this period. The jetty terminal and water theme park will boost visitors to the area hence strengthening the image and tourism spot of the urban area.

9 Conclusion With all the interventions and ideas of development being proposed towards sustaining the survival of the locals in the site it is important to address the main essence which is the holistic approach to rejuvenate a decaying vicinity. The main endeavour of the project is to untangle each arising issues in each component of the urban context such as residential, retail, public parks and waterfront to ensure a balance overall development in which all traits of the area is being regenerated with their fullest capacity. The intervention would be able to sustain the locals to reclaim their position in the city and lure more people in the area to further establish their influence and prosperity in the area. It can be foreseen that the ideas injected in this project is able to preserve the area going into the next decade of new development currently being constructed in Ho Chih Minh city. It is our objective to ensure this urban development to be the next model for all urban regions in Vietnam hence becoming the urban fabric of the future.

10 References [1] John Montogomery, 1998. : Making a city : Urbanity , Vitality and urban design , from Journal of Urban Design & Urban Cultures 5(8) pp: 120136 [2] Michael E. Smith, 2007 : Form and meaning in the earliest cities : A new approach to urban planning ,articles from Arizona State University Publications 7(10) pp: 200-250 [3] James R. Watson 2003 : The rooftop project: The neighbourhood, the rooftop project, 2015. retrieved from http://www.the-neighbourhood.com.

[Accessed date: 3rd June 2016] [4] Ron Heron 1985, “Insect City”, from Detolf Industries Publications, Vol. 3, page : 56 [5] John Madison, 1965 : “Cosmic and Machine models cities” retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/mjohncox/cosmic-machine-and-organic-cities July 2013 [Accessed date: 4 June 2016] [6] Quang Tran , “Project on the Vegan houses” retrieved from http://www.archdaily.com/641621/vegan-house-block-architects [Access date: 4 June 2016] [7] Bernard Tshumi Philoshopy 2010, “Design approachers” Slideshare retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/gauravshrinet3/bernard-tschumiphilosophy [Access date: 6 June 2016] [8] Umut Pekin Timur, “Urban Waterfront Regenerations” from INTECH Open minds & Open science 2012 [9] Mark A. Foltz, 2009 “Wayfinding design principles” from AIMT Journal Articles 2010 retrieved from http://wayfinding.design/principles-AIMTJournal-articles [Accessed on June 3rd 2016] [10] Rebecca Paul 2012, “T-Tree Community of Prefab Pixel Homes” from article ‘Archi-daily published on September 2012”retrieved from http://inhabitat.com/t-tree-a-towering-community-prefab-pixel-residences [Accessed date: 15 June 2016] [11] “Green Building 101: Sustainable materials and resources” article published on “LEED article” Jun 2014 , from http://www.usgbc.org/articles/green-building-101-sustainable-materialsand-resources [Accessed date : 5 June 2016]