Cai Rang Floating Market: The Dual Impacts of Urbanization and Climate Change on Livelihoods, Infrastructure, and Cultural Space

Abstract

This study analyzes the dual impacts of urbanization and climate change on livelihoods and cultural space at the Cai Rang floating market, an intangible cultural heritage site in Vietnam. The research employs a qualitative approach, drawing on secondary sources and visual data to clarify the relationships among infrastructure, spatial organization, and livelihoods. The results indicate that the “river embankment” project, a climate change adaptation measure, directly disrupted the architectural structure of the “two-access house,” causing spatial fragmentation and reducing the number of trading boats by 50% to 60%. This change forced the community to undergo a compulsory livelihood transition, shifting from wholesale agricultural trade to tourism-oriented retail services. The study emphasizes that infrastructure development policies need to be harmonized with cultural preservation objectives to ensure a sustainable development strategy that both protects the community from the impacts of climate change and preserves the core cultural and livelihood values of the heritage site.