“Greening” of Hanoi – a stunning, sustainable and friendly capital
Hanoi has witnessed a lot of transformation every day. The capital with more and more high buildings, transport construction also has the clean green and peaceful lakes. It owns the beautifully pruned trees along the streets, the carefully arranged roads, the electric cables network underground… All of these are the stunning transformation and create a capital of beauty and sustainability.
Diversity of flora in Hanoi
The researchers have identified that Hanoi owns a diverse flora with all 6 vascular plant divisions, 1.747 species (including some subspecies, species, and forms), 865 genera and 215 families and 53 rare and valuable species recorded in Vietnam Red Data Book 2007. Among these rare and valuable species,13 species were classified in the endangered category such as Psilotum nudum, Calocedrus macrolepis, etc; 36 listed in the near-threatened category such as Cephalotaxus mannii, Dipterocarpus retusus, Melientha, etc; 1 specie listed in the least concern category (Amorphophallus verticillatus). Remarkably, there are 2 species (Fokienia and Dalbergia tonkinensis ) listed in group IA (which consist of those forbidden from exploitation or use for commercial purpose) and 9 species (Cephalotaxus mannii, Calocedrus macrolepis, etc) counted in group IIA (which consist of those restricted from exploitation or use for commercial purpose). Indeed, Hanoi has owned a treasure of nature.
Trees along the streets of Hanoi
Planting trees – Green city
To solve the unbalanced between the environment and the urbanization speed, Hanoi’s leaders concentrate on the greening of the capital. Since 2014, Hanoi has approved the planning for greenery, parks, flower gardens and lakes in the city until 2030, with a vision to 2050. Hanoi’s target building 18 new parks in the downtown by 2030, raising the number of parks to 60, of which, the 42 existing parks and flower gardens will be renovated and upgraded. Among 42 exsting parks, there are 7 big parks.
The greening of the city has created a new image of the capital. A lot of trees are grown in different spaces: parks, gardens, along the river banks… and in individual locations such as communal grounds, pagodas, villas… Plus, thousands of shade trees of 67 types of plants have been planted along the streets.
Bonsai and flowers also play an integral part in Hanoi’s greenery. Peach and kumquat, the common decorative plants on Tet, represent the traditional culture of Vietnam.
Hanoi has many famous flower villages such as Nhat Tan, Nghi Tam, Ngoc Ha, Quang Ba, etc. Due to the expansion of the city and the fast growth of the population, these traditional flower villages are getting limited. However, the traditional flower villages have gone, the new ones have come. These new flower villages appear in Bac Tu Liem, Hoang Mai, Me Linh, Dong Anh, and Gia Lam districts. In recent years, ornamental plants have also attracted people’s interest. Some families in inner-city have planted some common vegetables, flowers, and fruits on the terrace
Water surface reflects the shadow of the trees – picture by Phạm Hùng
Along with the greening of capital, Hanoi also has made efforts to improve the water quality of140 lakes in both inner and suburban areas. Bettering the water quality has created beautiful scenery for the city. Hanoi aims for 70% of wastewater in urban areas to be well treated by the year 2020 …
Conclusion
“Greening of Hanoi”, an expression, refers to not only the space of trees and water but also the beauty, sustainability, friendliness which the capital gains from the greenery. The best living environment for people is living and entertainment with high quality, the capital city becomes a civilized – civilized – modern green city. More than the efforts to preserve, and expand the green areas, Hanoi capital needs the determination from the authorities, and the support of Hanoian. The stunning, sustainable and friendly capital will improve the quality of life and be an invaluable present for posterity.
By Danh Thái.