Call for contribution for photo book: “Đà Nẵng – GREEN CITY”
Call for contribution: Đà Nẵng – GREEN CITY
Deadline: 15 Aug 2015
From Goethe Institut:
Developed in joint cooperation with Goethe-Institut Vietnam, the aim of the photo book “Đà Nẵng: GREEN CITY” is to visualize recent urban change from a comprehensive spatial and social perspective. We chose Danang City because it is the most important city of Central Vietnam and is poised to develop in a very dynamic way in the near future. By means of this publication the editor wants to contribute to raise public attention about Danang and to put Danang City on the map of international and regional investors. Given the rich cultural heritage found in the surroundings, Hoi An, Hue, the Marble Mountains and of My Son will also be covered in the publication.
The format, contents and design of the book builds upon the successful photo books “TP. Hồ Chí Minh: MEGA CITY” (2014) and “TP. Hà Nội: CAPITAL CITY” (2015) also published in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Vietnam and with support from manifold companies and endorsement from numerous Vietnamese institutions. Publication date of “Đà Nẵng: GREEN CITY” is due for January / February 2016.
Your photo contribution to this exciting project would be highly appreciated. The deadline for submissions is 15th of August 2015. This is a purely non-profit project. Sponsorship money will only be invested into the production of book therefore no honorarium is paid, however contributors will receive complimentary hard copies of the photo book.
The editor is also seeking company sponsors supporting this book project. Company sponsors will receive customized copies in exchange for their financial support.
Rationale:
The coastal city of Danang has tremendous assets in terms of leisure value not only because of the extensive beach strip and the availability of many five star hotels, but also due to its close vicinity to major cultural destinations such as Hue – the ancient imperial capital, Hoi An – the living museum, the Marble Mountains – the natural landmark, and My Son – the former Cham capital. The airport is very close to the city centre, making it convenient for business travellers as well.
People in Danang are said to be friendlier and life is more relaxed than in the hectic capital city or megacity. There is always a fresh breeze from the sea and the environmental pollution is significantly less than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Danang City is the leading Vietnamese city in terms of environmental management: For example, collection rates of solid waste and medical waste are very high. Further, almost all of the wastewater from local industrial parks is collected and treated. There is little traffic congestion and there is excellent transport infrastructure with many beautiful bridges, wide boulevards and palm trees.
Above all, the provision of green space per capita is more than six square metres, which is outstanding compared to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. On the downside it may be said that there are few cultural entertainment opportunities, such as theatres. The academic level of the universities might still be slightly lower compared with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The increase of extreme weather and flooding events related to climate change may further endanger the livability of the city. Despite this, Danang regularly reaches the top position at the Vietnam’s Provincial Competiveness Index (PCI). Bloomberg recently drew a very optimistic picture of Danang, even going so far as to label it “the Singapore of Vietnam”. Last but not least, the seafood restaurants along Danang’s beach strip are certainly among the best of the whole of Southeast Asia.
The aim of the photo book “Đà Nẵng: GREEN CITY” is to showcase the inherent beauty of this coastal city. Our intention is to increase the sense of identification the inhabitants have with the city they live in, as well as the appreciation the public can have for this region of Vietnam, and raise it to a level that motivates more contributions for sustainable urban development.
The following chapters are envisaged, at the moment:
– Danang from above
– Change over time (in regard of this chapter, we are still looking for pictures from 1990-2010)
– Architecture & housing
– The people of Danang
– Cultural and leisure qualities (including Hoi An, Marble Mountains, Hue, My Son)
– The soul of Danang
The lead editor:
Michael Waibel is a geographer at the University of Hamburg and has published his Ph.D thesis in 2001 on the urban development of Hanoi. Since the mid-1990s, he has been returning frequently to Vietnam for research and lecturing activities and to continue his work of extensively documenting the urban change of the country.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Michael Waibel for further information: [email protected]
