Hanae Pfändler, Anne-Kathrin Widmer

The work sheds light into the urban transformation processes and unleashed energies of Hanoi's rapid expansion towards the west, looking at its accompanying urban phenomena and new forms of living. An area along the 3rd ring road is marked by rampant speculative and real-estate developments. Commercial promotion paints a future here that is not necessarily congruent with the originally well intended planning of the state, now obviously tempted toward corruption and favoritism. This context builds the background for the research by primarily developing an understanding the 'mechanics and mentality' behind the planning processes and building procedures.