OPENING SPEECH BY MR. TRAN NGOC CHINH – PRESIDENT OF VUPDA

Dear President Akinori Morimoto, City Planning Institute of Japan (CPIJ);  President Chan Ho Kim, Korea Planning Association (KPA), President Jen-Te Pai, Taiwan Institute of Urban Planning – China (TIUP); Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues and friends, 

Today, the International Conference of Asia-Pacific Planning Societies with the theme “Preservation and Promotion planning of the value of historical cities in the new context” held solemnly and lovingly in Da Nang city, the beautiful and livable city of Viet Nam, a city located on the Culture Heritage Road of Central Viet Nam: Hue Ancient Capital – Hoi An Ancient Town – My Son Sanctuary, based on the discussion of urban planning science with the core values of history and culture… in the process of urban formation and development, which each country is always interested in.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues and friends, 

Urbanization is a process of development. City always has its own history, culture and core values of humanity. All over the world, the ancient cities such as Luoyang (China), Takayama (Japan), Seoul (Korea), Plovdiv (Bulgaria), Luxor (Egypt), Argos (Greece), Byblos (Lebanon) left the mankind historical, cultural, artistic, scientific and technological values, reflecting the socio-economic development level of each country through each development stage.

According to researchers of history and urban planning, the urban system of Viet Nam has been formed for a long time, including three different historical periods of development: the Ancient and Middle Ages (from the end of the 19th century onwards), the Early Modern Period (1858 – 1945) and the Modern Period from 1945 to the present. The historical character is clearly shown in the structure and form of urban development with the folds according to the recognizable heritage potential. Ancient cities such as Hien Street, Ha Noi, Hue, Hoi An…are the clearest examples.

After 35 years of renovation, especially in the past 10 years, urban planning, construction, management and development in Viet Nam have obtained many important achievements. By the end of 2022, the urban system of Viet Nam has 888 cities of all types, distributed relatively evenly throughout the country. The rate of urbanization divided by geographical areas with urban functions has increased from 30.5% in 2010 to nearly 42% in 2022.

Urban space is expanded; technical infrastructure and socio-economic infrastructure are invested more and more synchronously and effectively; the quality of life of urban residents has been gradually improved. Urbanization and urban development have become an important driving force for socio-economic development. The urban economy has grown at a high rate, contributing about 75% of the country’s GDP. Economic growth poles and innovation hubs; science and technology, education and training centers have initially been established in big cities, especially Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

For long time established cities such as Ha Noi, Hue, Hoi An.., the Government of Viet Nam always pays attention to historical factors, culture, heritages… in planning, construction, development management to ensure that this value system is preserved and promoted throughout urbanization process… Reality has proved that in Viet Nam, the awareness of history and culture is more comprehensive and deeper in all fields and types. Many traditional cultural values and cultural heritage of the nation have been inherited, preserved and developed.

However, changes in the process of urbanization, globalization, digitization and the 4.0 revolution always create risks of disrupting the balance established between people and the living environment, making the values of history, culture and traditions are in danger of being faded away. Ethnicity and modernity in culture in general and in Architecture – Planning in particular are a great challenge for each country in the process of existence and development. These processes, besides the positive effects, also have negative impacts that are difficult to control, and threaten to disrupt the historical and traditional urban spatial structure…

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues and friends,

International Conference of Asia – Pacific Planning Societies with the theme “Preservation and promotion planning of the values of historical cities in the new context” is taking place in Da Nang city of Viet Nam on August 18, 2023, hosted and chaired by the Viet Nam Urban Planning and Development Association to address the issues, such as:

1. Conservation and promotion of heritage values in regional and urban planning
2. Heritage Conservation in Urban Regeneration and Urban Management
3. Heritage Cities and Smart Planning
4. Heritage city and community
5. Heritage and Tourism
6. Conservation Planning and Training

This is an opportunity for international experts, researchers, lecturers and students in many sectors related to urban planning and development, preservation and promotion of the values of historical cities from the CPIJ, KPA, TIUP and VUPDA to exchange experiences and lessons learned to reach consensus on solutions in preservation and promotion planning of the values of historic, traditional cities in the new context.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues and friends, 

The Organizing Committee received 160 papers (on 06 topics mentioned above) from CPIJ, KPA, TIUP, VUPDA. The presentations all focused on the topic “Preservation and promotion planning of the values of historical cities in the new context”

I highly appreciate the enthusiastic participation of scientists, professors, doctors, students and colleagues who have the quality papers at this conference. This is a positive and encouraging sign that confirms the great success of our conference.

In the vibrant atmosphere of the Conference, on behalf of the Viet Nam Urban Planning and Development Association, the Organizer and Da Nang Architecture University, the Co-organizer, I would like to send to you Delegates, Distinguished guests, colleagues and all of you respectful greetings, wishes for health, happiness and success.

Sincere thanks to the enthusiastic and effective support of the leaders of the Da Nang People’s Committee, the leaders, students of Da Nang Architecture University, volunteers and sponsors who have contributed to the success of the Conference.

I would like to announce the official opening of the International Conference of Asia – Pacific Planning Societies with the theme “Preservation and Promotion planning of the values of historical cities in the new context”.

Thank you very much!