Reconceptualizing urban identity: a study of Hanoi’s form and pattern languages from 1873 to 1902

ABSTRACTUrban identity has been an elusive challenge in urban studies. This research investigates Hanoi’s identity from 1873 to 1902 employing a methodology grounded in pattern and form languages, alongside the newly-developed Coherent Index. It finds that Hanoi’s late nineteenth-century form emphasized multiple scales, clear connections between urban elements, and the prominence of focal points and distinctiveness. The city’s form has been shaped by the interdependence of social and political needs among its diverse populations, connection to nature, and prestige, security, and symbolism. This research broadens the scope of urban identity across diverse contexts, enhancing comprehension of its intricate nature.KEYWORDS: Identitypattern languageform languageCoherent Indexgenerative process AcknowledgmentsSpecial thanks are due to the forty-eight students from the Faculty of Architecture at Danang University of Science and Technology. Their invaluable contributions in assessing pattern and form language, as well as calculating the Coherent Index, have significantly enriched this study. Their dedication, meticulous efforts, and collaborative spirit have been vital to the successful completion of this research.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis research is funded by Funds for Science and Technology Development of the University of Danang under project number B2020-DN02-81.