Several local experts have expressed their concerns over ambitious high-rise development plans for Hanoi Station and the surrounding area.

Hanoi Railway Station.

Hanoi authorities are seeking opinions from ministries and agencies for Japan’s Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering Ltd. Co’s planning proposal for Hanoi Station.

According to the planning, six buildings of between 40-70 storeys should be built at the station area, including a shopping centre, a residential area and an area for the station. 

The planning also includes areas for park and cultural activities.   

The total land area for the station planning will be around 98 hectares and it is expected to accommodate 44,000 people.

The current French-period Hanoi Station will be demolished and a new station built on the site also serves Yen Vien-Ngoc Hoi metro route in the future.

Le Vinh, Director of the Hanoi Planning and Architecture Department, the planning is based on the model of central stations in many countries such as Japan.

Some local experts said that the planning goes against Hanoi’s regulations on high-rise building management in the city’s inner-city areas which were approved by People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung last year.

The regulations stipulate that buildings of more than 18 storeys are not allowed to be built in the area.

Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Urban Planning and Development Association, said that the city had to conform to the mentioned-above regulations. 

He added that more high-rise buildings will result in more population, causing bigger traffic jams for the city centre. 

It would also have an effect on the architecture of the city’s historical inner-city areas.

Former deputy minister of construction Pham Sy Liem said that Hanoi currently lacks public parks and schools rather than yet more shopping or financial centres.

Le Vinh, Director of the Hanoi Planning and Architecture Department, admitted the station planning violates the city’s regulations. 

He, however, noted that Hanoi would have to seek the prime minister’s consideration.

Dtinews