Transforming Thien Quang Lake: Central hub for community connectivity

Ngoc Mai - Thuy Linh 07:27, 2024/02/27

The objective is to enhance the urban landscape and upgrade existing public amenities, creating versatile cultural and artistic spaces with modern facilities to improve the quality of life and attract visitors.

Hanoi's authorities have proposed a 1:500 scale design project for the urban area around Thien Quang Lake, aimed at transforming the area into a central hub for community connectivity and cultural integration.

Thien Quang Lake from above. Photo: Ngoc Tan/The Hanoi Times

The focal point for recreational and cultural activities

Under the proposal, the urban design project for the 11.7-hectare area covers Nguyen Du and Le Dai Hanh wards, bounded by Nguyen Du Street to the north, Tran Binh Trong Street to the west, Quang Trung Street to the east, and Tran Nhan Tong Street to the south.

Notably, the consultancy suggests urban design featuring 13 functional zones, including five squares: the central square located near Tran Nhan Tong Street and adjacent to Thong Nhat Park, serves as a multi-purpose cultural hub and trading space for the street's goods, and a resting place for tourists. The square space connects the functional zones of the street and Thong Nhat Park, serving as a focal point for recreational and cultural activities.

The four seasonal squares - Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter - are situated near the four corners of Thien Quang Lake: the Spring-Summer square at the two corners along Tran Nhan Tong Street hosts major events with open space for lake viewing. The Autumn Square adjacent to the Nguyen Du - Quang Trung intersection is designed for lively activities. The Winter Square at the Nguyen Du - Tran Binh Trong intersection serves as a transitional space between the lakeside park and the Thien Quang - Quang Hoa - Phap Hoa temple complex, offering quieter activities such as chess, exercise, and fishing.

The project also outlines plans for a fountain in the middle of the lake and a water music performance area near Tran Nhan Tong Street, as well as areas for police statues, religious sites, the Youth Cultural Palace, and landscaping.

Overall, the project aims to transform the Thien Quang Lake area into a central hub connecting residential areas and cultural centers, facilitating the transition from the streets surrounding Thien Quang Lake and Thong Nhat Park, enhancing the urban landscape and upgrading existing public amenities, creating versatile cultural and artistic spaces with modern facilities to improve the quality of life and attract visitors from other areas.

An expert from the Hai Ba Trung District Urban Management Office said that Thien Quang Lake boasts beautiful scenery, linking the lakeshore with green parks and adjacent to Thong Nhat Park, featuring the Thien Quang - Quang Hoa - Phap Hoa temple complex, police statues, and Youth Palace and the pedestrian street of Tran Nhan Tong.

A design of the surrounding areas of Thien Quang Lake with new public squares. Source: The Hanoi Ba Trung District People's Committee.

The expert emphasized the necessity for a dedicated urban design project for the area to enhance its significance, value, and spatial connectivity, primarily focusing on minimizing disturbance to water bodies and green spaces. This will primarily involve the incorporation of ornamental plants and landscaping to enhance the aesthetics and modernize the environment. After the renovation, the district will expand the pedestrian zone around the lake. At the moment, some items are being renovated according to the Pedestrian Space plan, such as the temple complex and the Youth Palace, which will soon be completed.

Taking public opinion into consideration

Chairman of the Nguyen Du Ward People's Committee Duong Minh Duc expected that the project would help develop comprehensive infrastructure around Thien Quang Lake, creating modern, open, and civilized landscapes for the area and correcting inadequate aspects of the previous urban design to make it more harmonious, beautiful, and convenient for residents' activities - the ultimate goal of urban planning.

Echoing Duc's sentiments, the Chairwoman of the Le Dai Hanh Ward People's Committee, Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, stated that residents in the ward have unanimously agreed to the project as it will create a beautiful overall area connected to Thong Nhat Park, Tran Nhan Tong pedestrian street, and surrounding areas.

“This week, the ward will hold a meeting to consolidate residents' opinions,” Hanh said.