Welcome to the River Cities Archive
In September 2022, RMIT Vietnam joined River Cities Network (RCN). RCN is a multi-sited working group under the Urban Knowledge Network Asia at the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), established to pursue action research on the river-city nexus in different parts of the world.
The river-city nexus provides a lens through which to critically analyse relationships between human settlements and rivers over time, as well as a platform to engage in collective action to revitalise local river ecosystems and the communities adjacent to these rivers.
RMIT Vietnam's engagement with the River Cities Project focuses on the Te Canal, in Ho Chi Minh City. This neglected urban space has significant historical importance. Once vital in the transportation of produce—such as rice, fruits, and vegetables—from the Mekong Delta to the port in District 4 for global export, the Te Canal played a crucial role in connecting the city to the Mekong. Beyond serving human needs, the canal also supports natural ecosystems, providing habitat for local wildlife. Furthermore, the canal is deeply intertwined with the cultural practices of nearby communities, carrying tacit knowledge and traditions that migrated with people from the Mekong to the city. These cultural connections highlight the canal's enduring importance in both human and more-than-human systems.
This archive will be updated regularly as we include all research conducted in within the the School of Communication & Design and The Business School.
