VietNamNet Bridge - After a long period of preparation, Hanoi has approved a policy to build apartments in the Viet Hung new residential area in Long Bien District for the relocation of 6,500 families in the Old Quarter.

Under the decision, signed by Hanoi Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Tuan on Dec. 22, the city will build 16 apartment buildings of eight to nine storeys and one building of 15 storeys with all necessary social works like a kindergarten, a primary school, a health station and other public works. This project will be completed in 2016.

Around 30% of the relocated households will be distributed with kiosks in the first floor to continue their businesses to earn a living.

The objective of the scheme is to reduce the population density in the Old Quarter from 823 persons per hectare in 2010 to 500 persons per hectare in 2010 to 500 people per hectare in 2020.

According to the Hanoi People's Committee, the Old Quarter spans 10 wards of Hoan Kiem District, with a total area of 81 hectares and a population density of 840 people per hectare. The high population density overloads the technical infrastructure and causes environmental pollution.

Le Ha