Master-plan for vietnam
Vietnam's urban areas are to be developed and improved as part of a master-plan put in place by the Vietnam Government, which aims to preserve historic sites whilst utilizing the very latest in modern technology to create 1,000 urban areas for a projected population of 52 million by 2025...
Vietnam will have around 1,000 urban areas with a combined population of 52 million by 2025, according to the plan just approved by the Government.
The plan, which outlines a large scale construction programme for urban development up to 2050, is likely to result in massive investment in the property sectors.
The Ministry of Construction has said that the towns are to obtain adequate, modern infrastructure and a healthy living environment. The plan will help to reduce the urban-rural gap in living standards, protect the environment and use natural resources to ensure sustainable urban development.
Major centres like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh, Hue, Da Nang, Quy Nhon and Can Tho will have satellite cities to compensate for accelerated population growth as well as to limit the increase in manufacturing plants in inner-city areas.
The plan also requires each city to have a particular design and architecture depending on its economy, culture, history and technological development.
As preserving the country's heritage sites is also high on the list of priorities, the architecture of historic cities like Hue, Hoi An, Dalat and Sapa will be protected and added to.
Architect Nguyen Dinh Toan, from the Ministry of Construction's Architecture, Urban and Rural Planning Institute said, "It is vital to include the preservation of unique architectural and cultural areas like the old quarter in Hanoi.
"The plan will create an architectural combination that is in harmony with the old quarter to enhance the city's image. Those structures emphasize connection, inheritance and making the most of what is available.
"There is the need for a code to maintain traditional characters in new urban architecture and design," added Mr Dinh Toan.
A master plan for developing the Ho Chi Minh City zone will help the city and seven other Southern provinces address economic and urban development issues.
The zone will include Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Long An and Tien Giang.
But urban planning experts have voiced concern about the planned development of the zone. It is slated to have a population of up to 22 million by 2010, and this rapid growth goes hand in hand with issues including lack of infrastructure, disconnection between ports, increased pollution and gridlock traffic.
As the zone consists of some provinces that border neighboring Cambodia and Thailand, trade links will be able to be developed via the Trans-Asia route.
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