VietNamNet Bridge – Nguyen Duc Bien, head of Ha Noi's Land Clearance Steering Committee, spoke with Tien Phong (The Vanguard) newspaper about the slow process of renovating old apartment buildings. 

What are the reasons for the slow renovation of old apartment buildings in Ha Noi?

Many old apartment buildings are dangerous and degraded to a level no longer safe for residents, forcing local authorities to move them out. Such renovations are impossible to delay.

The renovation of old apartment buildings in Ha Noi under Government Resolution 34 is too slow; reasons vary but are primarily due to procedure limitations and human error. People who own houses under State Decree 61/CP, which transfered the ownership of houses from the State to individuals and organizations, have complete control to upgrade and renovate their buildings; while those sharing the building can reach a common agreement as well. In some places, demand for renovating apartment buildings was so ‘hot' that people even claimed their rights to choose investors.

It is still not clear how to handle apartment buildings with people who do not agree on upgrades and renovations. In my opinion, it is imperative to clear away old apartment buildings to make better places for community members. How can we renovate old apartment buildings if disagreements continue?

How do we resolve the conflict of interests between concerned parties?

Ha Noi restricts the height of high-rise buildings in core urban areas, constraining the allowable number of storeys when upgrading and renovating old apartment buildings. The restriction runs up against investors' interests. The city needs to balance the interests of investors in its grand scheme. For example, it could create conditions for investors to take part in other projects and then compensate them accordingly to keep their interest high.

I would like to add that people living in most old apartment buildings have illegally extended their small flats against building safety regulations, encroaching on public land and space. I think the current compensation rate is already quite fare.

How can we agree on renovation projects?

Agreements must be based on law and our ability to determine the value of houses in each place. The land itself does not belong to flat owners; rather it is collectively owned by the State. Community and majority interest must be put first. One of the two options, providing apartments to resettle people or paying them to buy new houses for themselves, is necessary. It is impossible to let people to negotiate with enterprises and then continue to negotiate with the State as at present.

What are your suggestions to accelerate the upgrade of old apartment buildings in the time to come?

We must positively determine when each flat will require renovations rather than maintaining an indefinite time for use. We will ask central offices to regulate the amount of time one can spend in flats of new apartment buildings.

The Ministry of Construction's recent proposal of a limit on apartment ownership to 50 years has been opposed by most people. But I think the proposal will be feasible if we apply it to new apartment buildings.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News