ASSESSMENT OF THE URBAN ARTS DEVELOPMENT STATUS IN SÓC TRĂNG CITY 2025

ASSESSMENT OF THE URBAN ARTS DEVELOPMENT STATUS IN SÓC TRĂNG CITY 2025

ASSESSMENT OF THE URBAN ARTS DEVELOPMENT STATUS IN SÓC TRĂNG CITY

Pham Cam Dang

Vo Quang Minh

Tran Thanh Phong

Le Minh Khanh

Faculty of Land Resources, College of Environment and Natural Resources, Can Tho University

Nguyen Minh Thong

Inspection Committee, Can Tho City Party Committee

Abstract:

This research aims to assess the current status of urban arts development in Soc Trang City, and to propose directions for urban arts development within the urban planning of Soc Trang City in the coming period. By collecting secondary data and primary data (including surveys of residents, officials/administrators), synthesizing and processing data (variance analysis, Cronbach’s alpha scale testing, EFA analysis), we evaluated and proposed solutions. The results gathered from 44 questionnaires, along with quantitative analysis, identified 22 groups divided into 04 criteria groups for assessing urban arts in Soc Trang City.

Urban arts in Soc Trang City meets (3.8/5 points) the needs of residents but only temporarily meets the criteria of historical value of art and space, the ability to explore and contemplate artworks, limiting graffiti, and controlling advertisements. Soc Trang City has favorable conditions for strong development in urban arts due to its landscape, natural, and cultural conditions; however, it faces many difficulties in management and investment costs.

Solutions such as policies and development orientations in new urban planning are needed to clearly preserve existing architectural heritage and attract investment capital to promote distinctive works of the city.

Keywords: Urban landscape, urban arts, Soc Trang City.

I. INTRODUCTION

Urban arts is a method that helps renovate old urban areas and effectively develop new urban landscapes (Guerrero & Karimi, 2017; Tu et al., 2021). The benefits of urban arts include:

– Enhancing public spaces.

– Highlighting community identity.

– Improving conditions for economic regeneration.

– Driving socio-economic development.

– Creating jobs for artists, craftsmen, and makers (Forte & De Paola, 2019; Odufuwa et al., 2019).

– Conveying cultural and social messages within the community (Claire, 2016).

Urban arts contributes significantly to the sustainable development of cities, targeting residents and tourists (Odufuwa et al., 2019).

Soc Trang is a province in the Mekong Delta region. In 2020, the urbanization rate of the entire province of Soc Trang reached 39.85%, with an urban land area of 8,313 hectares. Urban areas have seen growth in both quantity and quality; the urban landscape is becoming more modern and distinctive. Soc Trang City has the advantage of natural landscapes and river characteristics. Its rich and diverse cultural and religious traditions of various ethnic groups create a unique landscape.

However, there are still many limitations such as a lack of greenery, parks, and playgrounds. The architecture in urban and rural areas is limited and does not attract tourists (Government, 2020). There is an imbalance between old and new urban areas and a lack of harmony between urban arts and the economic integration process (Nguyen Xuan Tien, 2012). In 2018, the Prime Minister approved the urban planning of Soc Trang Province to 2030, with a vision to 2050. The objectives include: “Harmonious development between urban, rural, people, and nature; Protecting the environment, maintaining ecological balance, and responding to climate change.”

To help address difficulties and improve urban landscape planning and management efficiency in Soc Trang City according to the stated objectives, the study “Assessment of the Urban Arts Development Status in Soc Trang Province” was conducted.

II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1. Collection of Secondary Data

Relevant information and documents were collected to determine the overall research area, subjects, and research fields, such as cultural, socio-economic, and environmental conditions. Regulatory documents related to the 2020 Law on Architecture, the 2020 Law on Planning, and urban development orientation planning from the Soc Trang City Department of Construction were also gathered.

2. Collection of Primary Data

Primary data was collected through surveys of residents, officials, and administrators to determine the current status, difficulties, advantages, needs, solutions, and requirements for future development orientation in Soc Trang City. The minimum sample size for EFA use is 50 (Hair et al. 2014).

Surveyed officials provided opinions on the degree of compliance with criteria using a Likert scale: (5) very compliant, (4) compliant, (3) moderately compliant, (2) somewhat compliant, (1) non-compliant. This focused on assessing behavior and compliance levels of urban arts.

Interviews with Officials:

Interviews were conducted with 13 officials, managers, and scientists working in relevant fields, such as urban management, planning, and construction in Soc Trang City. This provided a basis for building the research model and identifying the necessary research requirements.

Surveys of Residents:

At least 37 questionnaires were surveyed from residents living near the center where many urban arts projects are distributed within the city.

The collected and aggregated criteria for the survey identified 5 groups of criteria with 26 variables as shown in Table 1. Among them, the groups of criteria for architectural type/style and the historical and cultural value group were based on Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 85/2020/ND-CP detailing several articles of the 2020 Law on Architecture. The remaining criteria groups were collected and aggregated from reputable published studies, including the functional use criteria group (Parisa et al., 2016); the community and art interaction criteria group (Karimimoshaver et al., 2021); and the spatial order criteria group (Karimimoshaver et al., 2021; Ching, 2015).

Table 1. Summary of Evaluation Criteria in the Study

3. Data Compilation and Processing Methodology

Results from the official survey were compiled and adjusted to serve further analysis. Additionally, the study checked for anomalies to ensure the test results align with the research direction, performing frequency statistics with the provided data achieving a p-value > 0.05.

4. Analysis and Evaluation Methodology

4.1. Variance Analysis

The T-test variance analysis was conducted to test the mean value assessed by the survey regarding urban arts compliance with a specific value. The hypothesis H0 = The mean value assessing urban arts compliance equals a specific value and represents the population with a confidence level of 95% and α = 0.05.

4.2. Cronbach’s Alpha Scale Reliability Test

The Cronbach’s Alpha reliability test was conducted to check whether the variables and the impacts are reliable and provide consistent, equivalent responses across each observed variable of the scale. This reflects the degree of correlation between observed variables within the same factor group.

4.3. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)

Based on the reliability test results, the EFA was conducted to simplify the set of many interdependent measurement variables into a smaller set of variables that are more meaningful but still contain most of the original information. The appropriateness of factor analysis and the correlation of variables in the population were considered to ensure practical significance.

5. Proposal Methodology

Based on the analysis and evaluation results, development directions for urban arts in the coming period were proposed. Solutions were suggested for the development of urban arts and landscape design in the future to improve operational efficiency and the quality of life for residents, contributing to the urban landscape development of Soc Trang City.

III. RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Current Status of Urban Arts in Soc Trang City

1.1. Types of Urban Arts Applied in Sóc Trăng City

The landscape and urban arts in Soc Trang City have been rapidly developed and diversified in recent times. Specifically, these include: greenery; lighting; constructions; stone statues; paintings; and other arts (Figure 2).

Survey results indicate that the types of greenery and lighting have the highest evaluation rate at 63.64%. Greenery is an important component of the urban area, bringing many benefits to the environment and the community. It is a crucial factor in improving the architectural landscape and closely associated with urban development (Khanh, 2022).

Lighting art is used for purposes such as: public lighting for traffic security; lighting architectural monuments; lighting festivals and events; and advertising lighting. Its main purpose is to beautify and diversify the urban landscape, especially at night. Constructions (54.55%) focus primarily on areas such as residential, industrial, technical infrastructure, and traffic. Currently, these constructions not only meet the main usage requirements but also serve as traditional or creative art pieces, enduring over time, meeting aesthetic and functional needs, thereby contributing to the overall urban landscape (Josh, 2022; Liu et al., 2010).

Other forms such as stone statues, paintings, and other arts like 2D graffiti, mosaic, and bas-relief are evaluated as developing very low.

Table 2. Types of Urban Arts Projects in Soc Trang City

The demand assessment shows that residents have a need for diverse urban arts types, with greenery (68.18%), lighting (62.27%), and constructions (56.82%) receiving the highest demand evaluations. However, only lighting has a lower demand evaluation than current development, as lighting projects have been strongly developed recently and have met the residents’ needs.

The main distribution of these projects is in parks and squares (81.82%), urban centers (75%), and tourist sites (40.91%). These areas have higher densities of residents and tourists. The spaces range from social administration to entertainment, commerce, and services, designed reasonably to serve human rest and encourage urban arts activities. The distribution is lower at traffic intersections, main roads, schools, administrative offices, and private premises.

Table 3. Distribution of Urban Arts Projects in Soc Trang City

1.2. Benefits of Urban Arts for Residents in Soc Trang City

According to the evaluations of residents and managers, urban arts bring many benefits to the city and its residents, such as creating additional recreational spaces (77.27%), improving the quality of life for residents in the area, creating economic development opportunities in various sectors (commerce, services, tourism, and real estate), and providing a more enjoyable and comfortable mental state (65.91%).

Additionally, urban arts help create a spiritual connection between cultural heritage and modernity, promote the city’s identity, inspire residents’ creativity, and create jobs in the fields of handicrafts, design, and construction.

Table 4. Benefits of Urban Arts in Soc Trang City

2. Evaluation Criteria for Urban Arts in Soc Trang City

2.1. Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Test

The Cronbach’s Alpha analysis results show that the scale coefficients of Cronbach’s Alpha for the criteria groups are > 0.6, and the total variable correlation coefficients for all variables are > 0.3. The variables met the conditions and were not eliminated (Table 5). This reflects a strong correlation between observed variables within the same factor, indicating that the observed variables represent the characteristics of the factor group. However, variable TT5 (Limiting graffiti, controlling advertisements) had a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient if deleted of 0.805 > 0.751 (the overall Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for the TT group). The difference is not significant, so it was retained in subsequent analyses. Therefore, 26 measurement variables were used in the following EFA analysis.

Table 5. Cronbach’s Alpha Scale Analysis Results

2.2. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)

The Principal components method with Varimax rotation was used, resulting in a KMO coefficient of 0.799 with a significance level (sig. = 0.000), meeting the requirements (Hair et al., 2009). Using a loading factor threshold of 0.5, the total variance extracted for the 4 factor groups was 72.154%, which exceeds the standard of 50% (Table 6).

Table 6. Total Variance Explained by Influential Factors

The results of the 4th rotated matrix after eliminating variables further eliminated 4 variables (LH1 due to loading factor < 0.5; LH3, LH4, and TTCD5 due to loading factor differences > 0.3). The rotated matrix results in the EFA analysis identified 4 factor groups for urban arts compliance in Soc Trang. The loading factors are all > 0.5 with 22 variables (Table 6), among which variable TT1: Suitable for other planning has the largest loading factor (0.856) and is the most practical for the research. However, the variables were mixed within groups due to limitations in the research model construction process.

Table 7. Results of the 4th Rotated Matrix in EFA Analysis

The results identified 22 criteria in evaluating the urban arts compliance in Soc Trang City, divided into 4 groups:

1. Historical and cultural value group:

   – GT1, GT4-GT6, GT2, CN4, CN5 related to: representative of historical periods, use of city or religious symbols, use of traditional art and architecture, associated with cultural characteristics of the locality, functional use of urban constructions, application of new urban space development, historical value of art and space.

2. Community and art interaction group:

   – TTCD2-TTCD4, TT5, TTCD1, TT4, LH5 related to: exploration and contemplation ability of artworks, conveying messages and ideas, limiting graffiti and controlling advertisements, community support and participation, consistency in urban landscape orientation, suitable for the duration of the experience, technical value, construction technology, material usage.

3. Functional use group:

   – CN1-CN3, GT3, LH2 related to: increasing public space, enhancing urban green space, renovating and beautifying abandoned and ruined urban spaces, durability of the construction, suitable for living space.

4. Spatial order group:

   – TT1-TT3 related to: suitable for other planning, ensuring stability and safety, forms and styles suitable for urban culture and society.

2.3. Urban Arts Compliance in Soc Trang City

The t-test result value is t = 0.153 with an observed significance level Sig = 0.879, greater than the confidence level α = 0.05. This means that the hypothesis Ho is accepted, and based on the test results, it can be affirmed that the overall mean of urban arts compliance values is 3.8 (compliant).

Detailed evaluation criteria for urban arts compliance in Soc Trang City indicate that all criteria groups are rated as compliant, with the highest average ratings in the Functional Use (3.59) and Spatial Order (3.59) groups. The city has invested in new construction and periodic renovation of many aesthetically pleasing projects, particularly lights, greenery, and diverse artistic symbols of the city such as: lotus patterns, apricot blossoms, bronze drums, doves, rice ears, flags, etc.; religious motifs; and heroic figures, contributors, etc. These efforts contribute to the urban landscape and meet residents’ needs.

However, detailed compliance evaluation shows that the criteria for the historical value of art and space (GT4), the ability to explore and contemplate artworks (TTCD2), and limiting graffiti and controlling advertisements (TT5) are only moderately compliant. According to the Soc Trang Provincial Electronic Information Portal (2019), the province has carried out many activities to restore and preserve historical sites; however, discrepancies with the original architecture have occurred, and damage and loss have been observed.

The dissemination of laws, such as the Law on Cultural Heritage and the Law on Construction, has not been strongly promoted in some areas, and the implementation of decentralized management of monuments is still confusing in some localities. The advertisement situation affects the landscape of alleys. The ability to explore and contemplate artworks (TTCD2) is limited due to the majority of projects in the city being executed by administrative bodies, which restricts the development of projects in terms of creativity.

Table 8. Level of Urban Art Compliance based on the scale

3. Advantages and Challenges in Developing Urban Arts in Soc Trang City

Soc Trang City has many potentials and regional advantages, along with its unique advantages for development. The development of technical infrastructure helps connect urban areas with each other and with rural areas, creating momentum for economic development by leveraging urban advantages and the specific advantages of urban areas. The rich and diverse cultural and religious traditions of various ethnic groups (Kinh, Hoa, Khmer, etc.) have created distinctive characteristics and are architectural landscape exploitation sites.

However, according to the survey of management officials, urban arts in Soc Trang City faces many challenges (Table 9), such as a lack of funding and high investment costs, which are rated highest. Initial investment costs for projects are high, and additional costs arise, such as monthly maintenance costs, cleaning costs, and management and operation staff hiring costs.

Furthermore, there are other factors causing difficulties in developing urban aesthetics, such as untimely and irregular maintenance (40.91%), which reduces the lifespan of the projects; a lack of execution personnel (38.64%); and a lack of management personnel (36.36%).

Due to the interdisciplinary nature, the construction and management supervision of projects require a team with specific knowledge in the field to ensure optimal cost savings and project quality. During operation, projects may deteriorate due to natural conditions (34.09%) like tidal flooding, erosion, and extreme heat, seriously affecting traffic and urban landscapes. Additionally, the lack of genuine consultation and public opinion before project implementation (31.82%) can lead to projects not meeting the needs of local residents. The use of inappropriate materials also affects the lifespan of projects, causing rapid deterioration (22.73%). There is also a lack of guidelines and regulations on types and styles (22.73%).

Table 9. Challenges in Developing Urban Arts in Soc Trang City

4. Proposed Solutions for Urban Arts Development Orientation in Soc Trang City’s Urban Planning in the Coming Period

Based on the survey and analysis results, urban arts in Soc Trang City still have limitations. Solutions are needed to contribute to urban landscape development and meet the residents’ demands as follows:

Table 10. Development and Compliance Solutions for Urban Arts in Soc Trang City

There is a need to orient the development of urban arts within new urban planning (91.67%) to enhance the quality of living spaces for residents. This should be combined with the city’s development orientations (66.67%) such as ecological urban areas, urban agriculture, and feng shui elements. Diversifying the types and unique characteristics of urban areas in line with the natural and socio-economic conditions (83.33%) will help promote the city and meet the residents’ needs.

Given the city’s frequent impacts from conditions like tidal flooding, land erosion, and extreme heat (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 2020), it is essential to use types/materials that adapt to these adverse conditions (58.33%), such as choosing appropriate materials and plants, limiting the use of glass, reducing impermeable surfaces, using environmentally friendly materials, and utilizing natural lighting to extend the lifespan of projects.

To expand project scale and avoid imbalances in space, there is a need to design and link small-scale projects within the city, integrating new and old urban spaces (58.33%). These projects, characterized by small size, area, and volume, may be simple but can still fulfill one or multiple functions serving human life.

Moreover, greater attention from all levels and managers (83.33%) is needed to formulate appropriate policies and regulations. Policies to preserve and protect traditional architectural heritage (91.67%) include administrative penalties for individuals violating preservation and protection requirements, meeting the criteria for the historical value of art and urban space (GT4) and the orderliness of the urban landscape, thereby meeting the criteria for limiting graffiti and controlling advertisements (TT5).

Investment attraction policies for residential and social infrastructure projects (66.67%) can draw projects by creating clean land funds, actively supporting investors with procedures and documentation for early implementation, and offering flexible loan support. Encouraging architectural design competitions and selections for projects, including medium and small-scale urban projects, can also contribute. Creating favorable conditions for facilities to invest in construction according to current planning, combined with advertising exploitation, can bring economic and landscape benefits.

Training interdisciplinary human resources in urban management, construction, and land management (50.00%) for planning and managing urban arts is essential. Promoting community protection and management of living spaces and projects (66.67%) is also needed. Utilizing social human resources from businesses, schools, and organizations through volunteer programs (61.67%) to launch movements for environmental cleanliness and self-management models such as green corners and clean sidewalks can enhance residents’ connection to the urban landscape, improve the ability to explore and contemplate artworks (TTCD2), and reduce investment costs.

Applying science and technology in design simulation, flood and landslide forecasting, planning, and predicting demand, costs, and energy use can increase the technical and architectural value (50.00%). This also involves strengthening surveys and predicting residents’ needs to propose appropriate orientations and planning, avoiding waste.

IV. CONCLUSION

The research results identified the types of urban arts in Soc Trang City (greenery, lighting, constructions, stone statues, paintings, and other arts). These are mainly distributed in parks and squares, temples, tourist sites, traffic intersections, and main roads. The analysis results identified 22 criteria belonging to 4 groups of criteria: historical and cultural value, community and art interaction, functional use, and spatial order (with KMO = 0.799 and a significance level (sig = 0.000), with the total variance extracted for factors being 72.154%). Urban arts comply with the residents’ needs (3.8/5 points); however, they only moderately comply with the criteria for the historical value of art and space, the ability to explore and contemplate artworks, limiting graffiti, and controlling advertisements.

Soc Trang City has favorable conditions for strong urban arts development, including advantages in landscape, natural conditions, and culture. However, it still faces many difficulties in management and investment costs. Solutions such as specific and clear policies and development orientations for urban arts in new urban planning are needed to preserve existing architectural heritage and attract investment to promote distinctive city projects.

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