A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001

Open space is very important for human health, both physical and mental. Open space in Vientiane urban area is being reduced, and presently there is a lack of proper open space for recreation. Lao PDR has never had standards for open space, which means that open space has never been fully encouraged to develop. The purpose of this study is to recommend how to formulate policy guidelines for open space, which can be adopted by the Vientiane Prefecture in future for the provision and development of open space in Vientiane. Basically this study is based on observations on the existing situation of open space in Vientiane, using a checklist and interview of key informants. The perceptions of those who have worked close to open space users, policy makers and politicians were obtained through interviewed. Secondary date were obtained from Library searching and Internet. The literature pertaining to formulating policy guideline for open space standards in Canada, America, Scotland, BAM, Kuala Lumpur were examined for the purpose of recommending guidelines. Possible formulation policy guidelines never used in Lao PDR arer introduced and modified to fit with existing context of Vientiane. The implementation policy guideline for open space standards for Vientiane thus formulated comprises formulating policy guidelines for open space standards and the long-term and short-term action plans. In order to illustrate how the policy guidelines for open space standards can be applied in Vientiane, an example is given at the end of this study.