New Urbanism

There's something about the cities of Asia (and many in Europe for that matter) that has been so appealing to us. It's more than the warm weather, the exotic cuisine, the old buildings full of character, the friendly people... though they all play into it. It's the cities themselves and how they function.

First and foremost, it's the human scale of the cities and the walkability to all your needs. It's the ease and minimal cost of public transporta- tion. The fact that there are trees and people hanging out at curbside cafes, and the diversity of the things you pass - A block full of produce sellers, then metal workers, then stationary stores, then fabrics or mechanics... all interspersed with cafes + restaurants. Above this first level of commerce are the homes of the cities inhabitants, typically 3-6 stories maximum in height.

(Photo: Your typical corner - Veggie vendors, curbsite eatery, mini-market, pharmacy, cell phone store, child riding tricycle, old man walking, people hanging around chatting)

Check the "link" for more on the principles of the New Urbanism movement. And no, I'm not proposing that buildings need to be designed in a retro aesthetic like most of the examples noted, merely to incorporate these design principles.

Hanoi's "Old Quarter", where we've opted to settle for a bit to determine what our next move is, and which I'll use as an example, is just that. The streets in this neighborhood are even still named after the goods that were produced there and that still mainly are today - The street of silk, the street of cotton, the street of iron, etc.

(Photo: Not many vehicles other than 2-wheelers in sight making for a better community atmosphere)

One thing that IS unique to the developing world and which is not necessarily for the best is the fact that though most people have a more relaxed pace of life, they have little time to themselves. People work LONG hours, meaning 12+ HOURS - ALL DAY LONG, and though they may be napping during the slow afternoon hours or watching TV most of the time, there is little time for activities or friends OUTSIDE of work. Many even LIVE onsite, add that to the fact that most places are overstaffed and you have ALOT of unproductive down time AND lower pay for everyone. Not something I envy, but that's why I'm talking about NEW urbanism, because maybe it really IS feasible to have the best of both worlds.

Just yesterday we met a trio of 29-year-old women working towards their Master's degrees in English. We agreed to be interviewed for an assignment they're working on. It was interesting to hear that their perception of Americans + Europeans is that we are so much more efficient with our time, while they noted that the Vietnamese are often just sitting around. Maybe we ARE more efficient, but there IS a trade off in that we're ALWAYS on the go. Maybe there's a happy medium to be found in a work schedule of 10-12 available hours where you have the flexibility to creating your own 8 hour work day, giving us better social interchange and hopefully loosening up our schedule's so that we're not always RUSHING.

Maybe because people work such long hours here they tend to ethusiastically kick-up their heels too. Virtually every night the numerous cafe's that serve food + beer on draft are packed to the gills with men AND women. Some with children in tow. Again, lending the neighborhood a great community vibe where everyone is a participant. Wouldn't it be great if OUR urban planners would opt less to develop in an auto-centric model and incorporate these principles. Despite the obvious advantages of a communal lifestyle + layout here there seems to be a push to modernize with less concern about maintaining the good of what they have than merely rushing headlong towards the western ideal that we've marketed to the world. With a greater level of cultural exchange maybe we can begin to learn from one another and reshape our "ideal", working towards a more sustainable future for us all.

Hanoi's "Old Quarter" (Photo: People sit around on pint-sized chairs enjoying cold beer for a mere 12 cents a glass watching the world go by)

Check the "link" for more Hanoi photos