Why does urban development need to preserve identity?

In the era of globalization, urban areas are no longer just places to live, but have become a national identity on the world map. Masterise Group – through the Masterise Homes brand pillar – believes that true urban construction must harmonize three pillars: modern living space, international standards, synchronous commercial infrastructure - connection - social security, and the preservation of cultural identity. That is the way for each urban area to both integrate globally and affirm its own Vietnamese character.

When urbanization "threatens" identity

Vietnam is entering a period of strong urbanization at an unprecedented speed. By the end of 2024, the urbanization rate had reached about 45%, with more than 925 urban areas nationwide. Metro lines, avenues, and new urban areas are constantly being opened, creating a vibrant development picture. However, behind that picture is a reality that worries many people: many new urban areas are increasingly similar, with a "uniform" appearance, lacking local identity.

This concern is not without basis. From Bac Ninh, Ha Nam , Hai Duong to the Central provinces, a series of urban areas have sprung up with similar designs, mainly focusing on functionality while forgetting about cultural soul. If this trend continues, Vietnamese urban areas will face the risk of losing their distinctiveness, turning themselves into emotionless concrete blocks in the flow of globalization.

Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh - Chairman of the Association of Planning and Architecture, Former Deputy Minister of Construction and Mr. Nguyen Hoang Trieu - Deputy Director of Masterise Group Design Department at the Talkshow Building the Country - Proud of Vietnam

From a planning perspective, Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh - Chairman of the Association of Planning and Architecture, Former Deputy Minister of Construction - has repeatedly emphasized that identity is the factor that helps cities survive. Hue, Hanoi and Hoi An are living proofs. Hue has the imperial city, the Perfume River, and Ngu Mountain, all blending into an "urban poem". Hanoi preserves memories in 36 streets, both ancient and constantly creative. Hoi An attracts the world with its ancient tiled roofs and community life along the Thu Bon River. The common point of these cities is not simply beautiful architecture, but the connection between people, landscapes, and memories - that is what creates identity.

In the spirit of Resolution 06 of the Politburo, Vietnam aims to develop a sustainable urban system by 2045: modern but still maintaining its identity and in harmony with the natural conditions of each region. This is an urgent requirement, because otherwise, Vietnamese cities will lose their unique character and appeal, and become "unknown" cities in the flat world.

Masterise Group: urban development strategy that harmonizes modernity and identity

From a business perspective, Masterise Group believes that this challenge is an opportunity: an opportunity to create urban areas that both meet international standards and nurture the national spirit. That requires a different urban development philosophy – not copying old architectural symbols, but creating a new “regional language”, harmonizing modernity and tradition. This philosophy is concretized in all three aspects: international standard living space, synchronous and connected infrastructure, and solutions to preserve identity in the pulse of contemporary urban life.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Trieu - Deputy Director of Masterise Group's Design Division believes that true urban development must harmonize three pillars: modern living space, international standards, synchronous commercial infrastructure - connection - social security, and resonance with the preservation of cultural identity.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Trieu - Deputy Director of Masterise Group's Design Department - emphasized: "We do not aim to build the tallest or most modern building, but more importantly, how each project can tell its own story of the land where it is present. It can be the rhythm of community activities, daily habits or details reminiscent of national culture, to not only develop - but also enhance the appearance of Vietnamese urban areas."

Lotus leaf park at Grand Marina, Saigon - world quintessence on Ba Son heritage

That philosophy is realized through the way Masterise Homes – the brand pillar of Masterise Group – develops large-scale urban projects. Instead of letting living spaces turn into repetitive concrete blocks, the design team organizes the urban area according to the rhythm of residents' lives. Each square, porch, tree line or green area is calculated to evoke emotions, to create memorable touchpoints. People may forget the location of a shopping mall, but will remember the street corner where they met, the shady trees, or the experiences of family bonding. It is these seemingly small details that make a lasting difference.

Masterise Homes believes that developing unique urban areas is not just a story of architecture, but also about creating community.

In terms of strategic vision, Masterise Homes believes that developing a unique urban area is not just about architecture, but about creating a community. That identity is built from safety in life, convenience in services, community connection, and even more so, the pride of living in a space imbued with Vietnamese culture. That is when residents feel they belong to a place, not only because of material comforts, but also because of spiritual harmony.

In a civilized community, identity will spread naturally, becoming a sustainable flow of the city.

At a deeper level, according to Masterise Homes, urban identity also comes from the residents themselves – those who preserve and nurture it through each habit and lifestyle. When residents respect planning, build civilized communities, and preserve traditions – from the traditional Ao Dai on Tet to multi-generational meals – that identity will spread naturally, becoming a sustainable flow of the city. This is also the intersection between the national planning perspective and the business development philosophy: urban identity is not an external decoration, but a living value that is felt and maintained every day, alongside modern living space, along with comprehensive commercial – social security – connectivity infrastructure, creating a long-term living foundation for residents.

It can be said that developing a unique urban area is not only a design orientation, but also a long-term vision that requires the cooperation of businesses - in which Masterise Group plays a pioneering role: creating modern urban areas for integration, and rich in identity for differentiation. That is the path for Vietnamese urban areas to not only meet housing needs, but also become national pride, a sustainable national brand on the global map. And when Vietnamese urban areas nurture that identity, living spaces will not only be places to live, but also cultural symbols, a "Vietnamese brand" on the world map.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tai-sao-kien-tao-do-thi-can-bao-ton-ban-sac-10388114.html