Land conversion, environmental impact, and governance in Phuly, Vietnam | |
| Author | Hoang Duc Vuong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.UE-05-22 |
| Subject(s) | Land use, Urban--Environmental aspects--Vietnam Environmental management--Vietnam |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | In the context of socio-economic renovation since the late 80s, Vietnams periurban and rural landscapes have undergone haphazard and rapid land conversions and associated environmental problems that have posed major strains and challenges to public sector management on land and environment. This thesis studies the situation of land conversion and its effects on the living environment at the fringe municipality of Phuly, a small town adjacent to Hanoi capital. Spontaneous land conversions initiated by individualistic preferences and particularistic stakes of residents and land developers have dominated the scene, creating haphazard and mixed land uses in the area to accommodate new residential, institutional, and industrial constructions and expansion in erstwhile paddy fields. The thesis argues that such haphazard land conversion in the periurban and adjacent rural has been shaped by an over-arching pro-growth policy agenda advocated by the national and provincial government, which in effect minimalizes social and environmental agenda and state regulations on growths adverse impacts. Effects of conversion-related land and environmental mismanagement are getting worse since actions and intervention initiatives by responsible government agencies are grossly inadequate. The thesis further argues that centralized agenda- and regulation- setting and, on the other hand, the lack of decentralized decision-making at the municipal level, as well as the lack of institutions and opportunity structures for public participation have provided favorable conditions for the governing pro-growth agenda to remain largely unchallenged. In addition, a sound environmental management, that requires adherence to subsidiarity principle and grassroots participation, has been seriously compromised. The thesis argues for and makes recommendation on ways of enhancing decentralization and public participation to regulate growth and haphazard land conversion, and mitigate its negative environmental consequences. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Sajor, Edsel E. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Amin, A. T. M. Nurul;Vilas Nitivattananon |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |