Building a Multi-Generational Community Space in Chuong Duong, Vietnam
Building a Multi-Generational Community Space in Chuong Duong, Vietnam
Block by Block partnered with UN-Habitat and HealthBridge Vietnam to transform 375 square meters of road into an accessible community space.
Building a Multi-Generational Community Space in Chuong Duong, Vietnam
Chuong Duong, Vietnam
Project types: Street improvements
Collaborators: UN-Habitat, HealthBridge Vietnam
Tags: accessibility, children and youth, micro-interventions, multigenerational use, public health, transportation and infrastructure
Background
Near Chuong Duong Forest Park in Vietnam, a 375 square meter stretch of road presented both challenges and opportunities for community improvement. The area lacked accessible infrastructure for vulnerable groups, particularly children and the elderly, while the adjacent forest park remained underutilized due to safety and accessibility concerns.
The location's proximity to green space offered significant potential for creating a community gathering area that could serve multiple generations while improving access to the forest park for all residents.
Building Community Engagement, Block by Block
Using the Block by Block Methodology, UN-Habitat and HealthBridge Vietnam engaged local residents through two co-design sessions and five technical meetings, with 20 community members contributing to the design process. The project prioritized quick, cost-effective solutions that would have immediate impact and help build community ownership.
Children played an active role in revitalizing the space through simple interventions, while local volunteers helped build the infrastructure, ensuring strong community investment in the project's success.
Community members of all ages took part in revitalizing the space.
Progress
The project transformed the area into a vibrant, community-friendly shared space with key infrastructure including bicycle racks, interactive games, benches made from recycled tires, chess tables, bamboo-roofed structures, and colorful wall murals. These improvements prioritized accessibility for vulnerable groups while making the forest more accessible and safer for everyone.
The impact has been substantial, benefiting 2,325 people in the neighborhood. Public use of the space increased by 15%, with pedestrian traffic up 20% and bicycle use up 10%. Traffic speeds dropped to under 20km/h, creating safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists. Air quality improved from poor to moderate and good ratings, especially in the mornings.
A recycled bicycle rack and path have encouraged bicycle use
The project's success extends beyond immediate usage numbers. Future projections suggest that visitor numbers could triple, especially on weekends, once the park is officially reopened to the public. This anticipated growth reflects the community's enthusiasm for thThe project's success extends beyond immediate improvements. Plans are underway to expand the initiative across the entire street, and local authorities are exploring replication in other areas. Despite damage from Typhoon Yagi, the improvements have proven resilient, leaving a lasting positive impact on the community.
Long-term projections show continued benefits, with bamboo roofs expected to provide 10% shade coverage and greenery contributing an additional 10%. The transformation has created a sense of community while encouraging more physical activity and social interaction, demonstrating the power of creative, community-driven urban transformation.