Floating market in Can Tho

The annual Asian Townscape Award was first given in 2010 through under the collaboration of the UN-HABITAT Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, the Asian Settlement Commission, the Asian Landscape Design Organisation, and the Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Centre. Aiming to ensure a sufficient and happy living environment for people in Asia, the contest honors cities, regions, and projects for improvement, revitalization, or creation of a beautiful and harmonious townscape that is safe and sustainable and respects history and local culture. 

The contest awards an Asian Townscape Prize and a Jury Voting Prize. This year the organizing board received 41 dossiers of which 12 dossiers won Townscape Prizes and 3 won Jury Voting Prizes. The award is based on 5 key criteria: harmonious coexistence with the regional environment; safety, convenience, and sustainability; respect for regional culture and history; high aesthetic quality; contribution to local development, and the potential of becoming a model for other cities.

The dossier “Can Tho – a river city in the Mekong Delta”, which won a Jury Voting Prize, introduced pedestrian bridge at Ninh Kieu wharf, the Can Tho river dyke, and the Cai Rang floating market. To further the goal of creating a better living environment for Asian people, winning cities and projects must be closely aligned with the UN Millennium Development Goals. This award will help Can Tho attract international cooperation and promote its image to the world. The award will generate momentum for Can Tho city to improve its townscape in keeping with its role as the premier river city in the Mekong Delta.