HCMC should prioritize urban development in northwest: expert

Son raised his idea at a Saturday conference in which experts proposed their opinions about HCMC’s urban development planning by 2040, with a vision to 2060.

Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son proposes his idea at a conference on HCMC urban development, Nov. 25, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/An Phuong

"I am worried seeing the current planning scheme focus on developing the eastern and southern districts of the city," he said.

Son explained that their higher ground is the northwestern districts' advantage as the city is suffering from climate change effects, one of which is sea-level rise. This makes them the perfect location for housing, especially when the city’s population is expected to double to 20 million.

Otherwise, authorities will have to spend a large part of its budget on solving the effects of flooding in the future, he said.

He added that he agreed with plans of developing the eastern urban area, which consists of Thu Duc City. However, the southern coastal area "has nothing," and will need a long-term urban development plan which aims for a vision of 30-40 years, he said.

Son explained that the current biggest priority in developing the coastal Can Gio District, part of the southern coastal area of HCMC and home to the Can Gio Mangrove Forest, should be environmental protection.

Because of that, developments in this area can be delayed for several other decades, when technological advances allow authorities to solve economical issues without affecting nature, he said.

Part of the coastal Can Gio District of HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Responding to Son’s opinion, Phan Van Mai, chairman of HCMC People’s Committee, said coastal districts are an important area that will see much improvement in the future, as they will serve as the bridge between the city and other parts of the world.

"We should contemplate whether Can Gio can become a new free trade zone with its major projects including a transportation port," Mai said.

Prior to the conference, HCMC was consulted to divide the city into five urban areas.

The first is the current center area, which is planned to accommodate 5-6 million inhabitants and be home to political, financial, and service establishments.

The second area is Thu Duc City, which is planned to accommodate 3 million inhabitants and be home to educational, hightech, financial, healthcare, and ecotourism institutions.

The third is the northern urban area, which is planned to host 4-5 million inhabitants and be home to entertaining, cultural, recreational, healthcare, ecotourism, and agricultural institutions.

Fourth is the western urban area, which is planned to host 2-3 million people and be home to industrial, financial, technological, healthcare, and educational institutions.

The final one is the southern urban area, which is planned to accommodate 3-4 million people and be home to hightech, cultural, recreational, ecotourism, logistic, and sea economical institutions.