Overseas Projects and Sites
Viengxay Town Master Plan, Lao PDR
introduction / overview / images / location / Projects
Landscape Architect: Hansen Partners Pty Ltd
Location: Viengxay, Lao PDR
Project date: 2008
Listed as A Case Study for the AILA's 2008 National Climate Change Project
Introduction
In 1992, the town of Viengxay was placed on the Lao PDR register of National Heritage. It is a post-1975 settlement surrounded by mountains, caves and forest used by the Pathet Lao during its struggles against American armed forces from 1964 to 1975. Viengxay was the capital of the liberated zone and is often referred to as ‘the birthplace of the Lao PDR’. Viengxay’s limestone caves accommodated many and varied needs of approximately 23,000 people in the struggle for freedom during war time.
Since 1996, the town of Viengxay has continued to grow and expand with considerable pressure from local and international tourism. Given the heritage significance of Viengxay, its cultural landscape and the many caves and associated buildings still in existence, it is imperative that the future development of the town does not adversely impact on the retention, interpretation and conservation of these very significant places in the history of Lao PDR.
As a continuance to a series of planning and management initiatives of the Lao Government in the area, the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) with support from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation implemented a series of interdependent projects with a view to guiding development and protecting the historic resources of Viengxay Town, its landscape context and caves site. The projects were carried out within the framework of UNWTO’s ST-EP programme (Sustainable Tourism – Eliminating Poverty). A key initiative within the ST-EP programme is the preparation of a Master Plan for Viengxay and its surrounds. The Master Plan for Viengxay to 2026 provides the necessary framework to ensure the protection of both the historic and natural elements in and around the town and plan for its growth in an orderly manner.
In late, 2006 and through 2007, a Hansen project team of 3 was joined by six Lao counterparts from the Urban Research Institute, Vientiane, the Ministry of Culture and Information (from Vientiane and Houaphanh Province offices) and the District Land Office to participate in an intensive training programme to collectively develop the Viengxay Master Plan, including documentation and appreciation of the critical cultural landscape context of the settlement. The training and consultation processes and Master Plan production was undertaken in extraordinary working conditions and delivered 3 key components, including the
- Management & Monitoring Tool Kit; Capacity Building in Conservation Planning and Management
- Viengxay Town Master Plan - Capacity Building in Conservation Planning and Management
- Evaluation Report to UNWTO on Training Program and Community Consultation for Masterplan.
The Viengxay Master Plan is both a planning and design strategy and a notable capacity building process. It was underpinned by a thorough training and community consultation program shared with Lao PDR counterparts and grass-roots community representatives during a 3 week in-country mission and continued through ongoing liaison with national and local government representatives.
The capacity building dimension of this initiative allowed for engagement with both national and local land managers in an appreciation of landscape and scenic qualities of Viengxay and its surrounds. It successfully introduced notions of sustainable practice and cultural heritage management to a place which has for some time faced considerable threats due to the impact of adhoc development, agricultural misuse and invasive tourism practices.
Importantly for the provincial and district government participants in the project, the training undertaken during the in country period was instrumental in these professionals appreciation of the central principles of urban design and landscape architecture, thereby assisting in implementation of the Master Plan now that it has been approved by the National Government.
introduction / overview / images / location / Projects
2008
