Hanoi city issued a pilot project on 31/7 to establish a cultural space and pedestrian street on Thanh Thai street, Cau Giay ward. The initiative outlines a trial cultural space and pedestrian zone on Thanh Thai and Khuc Thua Du streets, expected to operate on weekend evenings, holidays, and peak seasons.

The project will unfold in two phases. Phase one focuses on investing in the central core of the Cau Giay cultural space, encompassing specific areas within Cau Giay Park and the section of Thanh Thai street adjacent to the park.

In phase two, the city will explore expanding the cultural space to Khuc Thua Du and Truong Cong Giai streets. This expansion aims to connect and support the Duy Tan street area, the concentrated information technology park, and the CV1 regulating lake park.

To implement the project, authorities must organize traffic using a three-layer model. The first layer is the pedestrian core, where vehicle access will be controlled during operating hours, giving absolute priority to pedestrians and cultural activities.

The second layer is the resident and service buffer zone, which must ensure essential access for residents, buildings, apartments, and businesses. The city requires the development of identification codes for residents, guidance for separate entry and exit routes, speed control, and designated short-term stops for ride-hailing services, deliveries, and vehicles serving the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.

The third layer involves remote traffic diversion, requiring signs and directions from main arteries such as Cau Giay, Tran Thai Tong, Duy Tan, Duong Dinh Nghe, Truong Cong Giai, Tho Thap, and Pham Van Bach streets. Authorities will also study installing a minimum of 6 electronic signs at key intersections.

Cau Giay Park (main entrance on Thanh Thai street) is part of the cultural space and pedestrian street on Thanh Thai street, Cau Giay ward. *Pham Chieu*

A key component of the project is establishing the "Cau Giay food street" brand. Initially, the city will explore a model of mobile food stalls and concentrated mobile food areas, moving away from traditional food kiosks.

Specifically, approximately 15 mobile food stalls or portable food stands, uniformly designed with a green, white, and 'com' yellow color scheme, may be placed in the Khuc Thua Du area or a suitable service buffer zone. Each stall or stand must clearly list prices, feature QR codes for ingredient traceability, accept cashless payments, and have provisions for collecting trash, oil, and wastewater.

The food street's menu structure is envisioned as follows: a minimum of 50% of dishes and products will reflect the identity of Hanoi - Cau Giay; about 30% will be selected Asian - European dishes; and about 20% will be vegetarian, healthy, and low-plastic-waste options.

The food street is also suggested to feature themes aligned with its menu structure. For example, friday evenings could be "Mini Old Quarter Hanoi", saturday evenings "World Street Food", and sunday evenings "Vegetarian and Green Living".

For the initial phase, the city indicates that the design approach will concentrate on Thanh Thai street, Cau Giay Park, and Khuc Thua Du street (the buffer zone). This strategy aims to create a cohesive space for pedestrian and community activities, harmoniously integrated with Cau Giay Park to provide mutual support.

To foster student engagement and attract intellectual and creative resources for cultural and artistic events, the project emphasizes collaboration with universities and colleges. These include: Vietnam National University, Hanoi National University of Education, Academy of Journalism and Communication, and Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema. Additionally, the project will invite art clubs and groups, such as street music, drama, and dance ensembles, to perform regularly.

Hanoi currently features three food streets: Tong Duy Tan street, the Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa area, and Nguyen Van Tuyet street. The city also has 7 pedestrian streets: the Ho Guom and surrounding pedestrian space; the Hanoi Old Quarter (Hang Dao - Dong Xuan, Hanoi Old Quarter Grade 1 conservation area, expanded southern area of the Hanoi Old Quarter); Son Tay Ancient Citadel; Tran Nhan Tong street and surrounding areas; the Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa food street combined with a pedestrian street; Trinh Cong Son street; and Ho Ngoc Khanh pedestrian street.

Vo Hai