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When cities are not designed for people, they often end up being unsafe and unwelcoming. Narrow sidewalks, a lack of spaces for social connection, and streets shared by both pedestrians and speeding vehicles can make getting around dangerous.
HealthBridge’s Livable Cities program is working to change that. In Hanoi, HealthBridge partnered with Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), Vital Strategies, and the Department of Construction (DoC) to transform the streets in Hanoi, including around Van Phuc School. The streets near Van Phuc were known to be narrow and riddled with encroachments, which meant that pedestrians were forced onto the busy streets and into fast-moving vehicle traffic. This made the streets quite unsafe, particularly for students walking to and from school.
Recognizing the danger, the city launched a redesign process focused on pedestrian safety. From the very beginning, the community was at the heart of the project. Children, parents, teachers, and local residents were invited to share their ideas and experiences through a series of workshops and meetings. Their feedback shaped the vision for a people-first street, one that prioritizes walking and cycling, safety, and connection over congestion.
After months of collaboration, the team brought these ideas to life during a "pop-up intervention" week in early September, just as students returned to school. For several days, the new design was tested in real life: a 30km/h street with bollards and markings guided traffic, wider pedestrian paths appeared, and the school's surroundings felt more like a safe, shared space than a busy road. Observations and feedback from this pilot helped refine the final design, which will now be managed by local authorities and the community. Elements of the final design include narrower car lanes, raised sidewalks and permanent markers to guide traffic.
"Every city has its own character, and it is essential that global best practices are adapted to fit local needs," said Mr. Dinh Dang Hai, Senior Project Officer at HealthBridge. "HealthBridge has worked closely with DoC and parents, teachers, and local authorities to ensure that the solutions at Van Phuc School Street reflect the daily realities of children in Hanoi. This partnership shows what can be achieved when global knowledge is combined with local experience,"
The project didn't stop at physical changes. Drawing on lessons from Van Phuc and other success stories, the partners also developed a new Guideline on Engagement in Safe School Zone Projects. This practical tool helps local governments and schools plan and replicate safe, inclusive school streets across the city.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Toan, the Project Coordinator at the DoC shared:
"Van Phuc School Street is a strong example of how good design and coordinated leadership can protect our most vulnerable road users. With the engagement guideline, we hope to help other schools, local authorities and DoC apply this approach more effectively. We look forward to scaling up this approach in other areas of Hanoi."
The streets around Van Phuc now feel different. Wider paths, clearer crossings, slower traffic, have all transformed the commuting experience of hundreds of children. What was once a dangerous and unpleasant commute is now a safer, more joyful journey to school.
