Waterscapes: the cultural heritage for sustainable development in the urban structure of Hue city in Vietnam

For many years, waterscapes have used as indispensable architectural elements in urban design like Amsterdam, Venice, etc. Similarly, from 1802 to 1945, the integration of water into the layout of Hue city exemplified sustainable urban planning. Additionally, Feng Shui method positions water as a crucial component Hue city which represents a unique harmony between humans and nature, reflecting Eastern philosophical ideas and traditional Vietnamese architecture. The waterway model was seamlessly integrated with the waterscape and monuments, establishing the unique identity for the local ecosystem. In recent decades, Hue’s waterscape has undergone considerable change due to urbanization, environmental pollution, flooding, and disruption of water flow. These factors have altered the characteristics of traditional waterscape and negatively affected the previous concept of water system. Identifying the characteristics and values of the traditional water network is as cultural heritage to preserve and promote a sustainable model that adapts with local environmental self-regulating technology.