The central city of Da Nang and Hoi An Ancient Town have won two Asian Townscapes Awards (ATA). The official announcement and award ceremony was held in Fukuoka City, Japan on Tuesday.

The townscape awards are given for "materialising a living environment that is happy and fulfilling" for residents. They aim to honour cities, regions and projects that have played a significant role as models in landscape construction.

Among the criteria used to determine the winners are: harmony with the surrounding environment; safety, convenience and sustainability; respect for culture and history; high artistic quality and contribution to local development as well as the capability to become a model for other cities.

Joint-organisers of the award are: UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia ad the Pacific, Asian Habitat Society, Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Centre and Asia Townscape Design Society. — VNS