Redefining urban heritage value for Hanoi trade streets

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to redefine the urban heritage value of trade streets in Hanoi's Ancient Quarter (AQ) and propose an expanded notion of the “historicity” found through intangible cultural heritage (ICH).

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal analysis was conducted to examine the historical transitions of trade streets, thereby providing an alternative value perspective for considering the area's conservation management. The trade streets were specifically analysed from the pre-colonial era to 2017 using past survey data concerning the distribution and concentration of trade types, statistical documents from the colonial era and recent fieldwork data from investigations into 79 trade streets, thus identifying seven patterns of change.

Findings

Individual trade streets contribute to the unique identities of their respective streets while collectively providing experiential value through the overall variety and density of trade types. Further, the value of modernised trade streets can be found in their support of the area's systemic and experiential values.

Practical implications

Current management approaches should shift to include non-traditional trade streets that have experienced gradual changes or retained specific businesses for long periods of time.

Originality/value

This was the first study to conduct a longitudinal analysis of AQ trading with partial support from statistical data. It explored an expanded way of interpreting historicity from the viewpoint of dynamic ICH along the two axes of pace and intensity by tracing changes in commercial activities over time.

Citation

Kashihara, S. (2021), "Redefining urban heritage value for Hanoi trade streets", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 78-94. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-11-2019-0147