CONCEPT
The main concept is to lead the urbanism of the area by using greenery and water system. Meanwhile, greenery and water system will weave into built-land to create a more comfortable living space. Hence, green space, water system and built-land are not three separated elements stand close to each other but work together as a harmonised system.
There will be a linear park along the canal to be the collective green space for the site. To the local residents, this park is a place for people to have good leisure time. To the outsiders, this park can tell a story about unique characteristic of the neighbourhood.
DESIGN
Water system
The whole area is surrounded by a close cleaning system. All water, including grey water and rain water, is collected and treated at four basins outside of the neighbourhood. After that, clean water is back to the neighbourhood. Moreover, in new water system, water comes to every corner of the neighbourhood and then comes to treatment centre which is forms by for ponds in different levels. After that, clean water is pumped back to the neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, polluted water in existing water system will be treated. After that, it will connect to new system. As a whole, this is like a big basin to store water in flooding season. At the first stage of the process, polluted water is separated with clean water from nature. After that, this system will connect with the existing system and plays at a big storage for flooding.
This system contributes not only to micro-climate but also to neighbourhood landscape. Artificial canals inside are not too big so that they will not separate the neighbourhood but connect the citizens with nature and among themselves.
Inside the neighbourhood, some ponds will be made to collect water in flooding periods. Moreover, those ponds have great potential to contribute to the landscape of the site.
Artificial water lines are created alongside local main streets to give potential for public water transportation. Those lines are suitable for small boats or small water bus. In the future, water transportation is one promising solution for traffic congestion for Hồ Chí Minh City. Some components of the site are used to living in water. Therefore, this is a good place to start using public water transportation system.
In negative aspect, new water line can become the obstacles for residents in two sides of the road. However, the landscape of the transport system will become livelier. Additionally, commercial activities of two sides will be different, which would bring more benefit for local people.
Green system
The main function of greenery system is to bring people closer to the water surface. The linear park attached to new water system creates a friendly environment, in which people will have stronger interaction with water surface.
Similar to water system, apart from collective green spaces are small green space for local people. By having local spaces like this, each member of the neighbourhood will equally have opportunity to take advance from green system. Moreover, those green spaces also play as landscape node not only for local people to gather but also for outsiders to remember and distinguish different parts of the whole site. Consequently, not only the relationship among people in the neighbourhood will improve but also the relationship of smaller neighbourhood will enhance.
There are two main types in green system: green as open space and green as protector. Since there will be two massive highway cross the site, noise pollution of the site will become worse. Therefore, a green line will follow highway to reduce not only noise but also dust from the street to the neighbourhood. In some part of the road, the density of tree is reduced so that people can have some “hint” about the area behind.
Defence greenery connects with the linear park in the neighbourhood by small flowers area under the bridge. There is no activity suitable for the area under the bridge. Therefore, flowers can not only contribute to the landscape of the site but also play as connectors for the two main components of green system.
Urban park
The linear park has total three attractive hubs with unique characteristics, which are also characteristic of the site.
The beginning part connects with highway and urban bus station. There is not many activities on this site because of safety, this part is more about creating landscape for the junction and balance the impact of two massive infrastructures. Green space is shaped in grid following the direction of houses. In other word, green space is imitating urban grain in the site. Otherwise, green spaces on the other side of the small canal are various in levels to attract people to come and use. In fact, this part serves for the benefit of people in residential area.
The centre square in the hearth of the park is the place for people to gather. The park feeds both sides of the canal and connects residents in two sides. Small boats for visiting the site can dock here. In short, this is the busiest part of the whole park. The front part is for sporty activities. Street performing art also happens here. This part is suitable for the youth who love activeness and excitement. Deeper to the park is quieter. There is a lake from new water system in this area. There are some large swards for people to sit on and enjoy the environment. Students from the school on the other side of the canal can also sit here to read books and to talk to friends. These two opposite atmospheres reflex the mix of rural lifestyles and urban living in the whole neighbourhood. Otherwise, on the other side of Ruot Ngua Canal (the dark blue canal on the model) has the same function with the active part on the other side. Beside is a various level of green space to have an attractive node for residents in the site. It is also a transition from park to linear green space connecting green hubs.
The southern part has more rural characteristic. To associate with educational and spiritual area (there are schools and a pagoda in this area), the southern part will be reserve as they are, a productive landscape. This is also the end of bicycle road. Some huts will be installed for children to come and enjoy the field-scape.
A part from this area is spare for low density housing development in the future. Meanwhile, green system will develop vertically with the development of high-rise construction.
The bicycle road along the park provide a throughout view for visitors. Bicyclers can experience different scenery which tells a story of the change from urban life to rural life. This is also the main scheme of the site.
