The impact of urbanization on land use and the changing role of forests in Vientiane

Abstract

This paper investigates urbanization in Vientiane, the Laotian capital city, and its vicinity. The intent is to address the relationship between urbanization and land use, especially focusing on the changing role of suburban forest. In the Vientiane suburbs, forests still supply many items to villagers: firewood, charcoal materials, wild vegetables, mushrooms, insects, small animals and others. However, when off-farm work increases and commuting to factories is prevalent among villagers, the time to collect and hunt forestry products declines. Foods except for rice are purchased from stores in cash and firewood and charcoal are replaced by propane gas. In the near future, forests may become unnecessary for villagers from an economic aspect. What meaning do suburban forests have? For one, they have cultural and environmental meanings such as the securing of better landscapes and biodiversity, but their more important role is to act as a barrier to prevent urban sprawl.