Professor, Doctor of Science, and Architect Nguyen The Ba who has nearly 50 years of working as a teacher, manager and designer in urban planning has been credited with laying a foundation for Vietnam’s urban planning sector.  

Vietnam’s urban planning still faces many difficulties and challenges. It requires clear-sighted scientific knowledge for sustainable development, modernity and civilization of the urban areas. This is the biggest concern of Prof. Nguyen The Ba.

In his work space, laden with piles of design diagrams and blueprints, along with graduation theses of his students, Ba told us how he became an Architect/Urban Planner.

In the year when he participated in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign (1953-1954), his unit was entrusted with a task of opening a road and he was appointed as chief technician, assigned with designing the road. After the Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954), he was sent to Poland for study. In 1964, he returned home with a diploma in architecture, specializing in urban planning and became the country’s first, home-grown urban planner.

An architect is often responsible for the design of a single building and its close surrounding space, whereas an architect/planner is in charge of a much larger project, often being responsible for a complete sub-division. Because of the magnitude of the job, it is imperative the person in charge be well versed in social and political affairs, infrastructure and transportation, as well as the structural design.

Ba has accumulated a rich knowledge and experience in these fields after years of working. When talking with him, people will easily recognize his exceptional knowledge in the sciences, and the straightforward and clear disposition of an experienced manager.

In wartime, Ba participated in designing and planning projects in the coastal areas of Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City. During 1966-1967, he headed a group of architecture students to the northern rural areas, living with them and teaching them with on-the-spot lessons. He said that the lessons should be theory-practice connected, and if the students can go to the farms or construction sites, they will obtain much more knowledge and experience.

Over nearly half a century of working, Prof. Nguyen The Ba has trained more than 20 doctors and hundreds of architects, many of who have gone on to become leaders holding key positions in ministries and branches, and contributing worthily to Vietnamese architecture in general, and its urban planning in particular.

Prof. Nguyen The Ba (2nd from right) has instructed and graded many State-level doctoral theses.

Prof., Dr., Architect - People’s Teacher Nguyen The Ba

- Born in December 12, 1936.

- In 1992: received a diploma of Doctor of Science.

- In 1996: awarded with the Professor title.

- Since 1998, Chairman, Honorary Chairman of Vietnam Urban Development Planning Association, Director of Vietnam Research Institute for Rural and Urban Planning and Development

- Some of his projects: Urban studies, urban planning and development in Vietnam and the world; Urbanization, environmental protection and sustainable development in the developing countries; Housing and units in modern urban areas – housing sociology; and Urban designing and architectural space planning in rural and urban areas.

Source: VNP