VietNamNet Bridge – “Some said that the plan to build the West Lake – Ba Vi road benefits estate projects, but I know no project along this road has operated,” said Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Dinh Toan, in an interview with a local newspaper about the newly-ratified Hanoi master plan to 2030.
Previous master plans of Hanoi have stated that the estimated capital for implementing the plan is around $90 billion, including $60 billion needed by 2030. Why the newly-approved plan does not mention the capital?

The previous plans mentioned the investment for infrastructural facilities like roads, sewers… The newly-ratified plan covers the entire projects in Hanoi, including many projects, many investors and different investment levels so the above figure ($90 billion) is not the estimated investment for the entire city. This is only the general plan.

Where will we mobilize capital from to implement this plan?

This plan points out the feasible financial resources. Part of the finance will come from the state budget, from foreign capital sources, from investors and from the people. It is the competence of the local government to mobilize capital sources to carry out this project.

What do you think about the rumor that the Hanoi master plan was swayed by big estate firms?

I was in charge of managing this project from the beginning and I did not see any estate firm involving in this job.

Why is the Ho Tay – Ba Vi road very dim in this plan?

This road starts from Hoang Quoc Viet road and finishes at the National Highway 21. The master plan does not draw this road in details. The construction of this work depends on investment capital and Hanoi’s plan.

Some said that the plan to build this road benefit estate projects, but I know no project along this road has operated. That road only benefits the city. Not only has the government decided to build this road. Many meetings and workshop were held to discuss this project and we see that this road is necessary to develop the western Hanoi and to deal with Hanoi’s traffic problems.

There are over 750 construction projects located in the area covered by the newly-ratified master plan. Will these projects be maintained or will they be inspected again?

Some projects will be changed to fit with the master plan. Even approved projects must be adjusted.

How is the fate of projects in the green-corridor area?

For the green corridor along the Nhue River, there are three kinds of works: villages, schools and health stations of recent residents, projects have been and are being implemented and projects that are not implemented yet.

Not-yet implemented projects will be classified once again to define which have made site clearance, have paid taxes, etc. to have suitable treatment.

The implementation of project in the Nhue river green corridor will depend on Hanoi’s implementation of detailed construction plan in the future.

I would like to confirm that there are not many projects in the green corridor and competent agencies will combine with project investors to adjust these projects. Ecological residential area projects can be accepted in the green corridor area because the green corridor does not mean the ban of construction. Only high-rise buildings are restricted.

The resettlement of residents in the Hanoi’s old quarter in Hoan Kiem district, has not finished though this plan has been carried out for more than ten year. What do you think about the feasibility of the project to reduce the population in this area from 1.2 million to 0.8 million?

To reduce the population in the old quarter, it is necessary to build new residential areas which have similar or better facilities in comparison with the previous residences. I know that Hanoi is preparing to move people from the old quarter to the Viet Hung residential areas.

In Hanoi, there are many new residential areas that lack trees, schools and other facilities. These areas are unattractive to people so it is difficult for resettlement. I believe that investors will do better in the future.

What does the Ministry of Construction assess about the influence of the newly-announced master plan for Hanoi to the currently quiet estate market?

The estate market will change for sure because they know where will be invested. Therefore, we display the master plan for public view.

The Hanoi master plan to 2030 and the vision to 2050 were designed by the Ministry of Construction, in cooperation with the Hanoi People’s Committee and related agencies.

The Perkin Eastmans - POSCO E & C-JINA is the main consulter, in cooperation with two local consulters – the Institute for Urban and Rural Architect and Planning and the Institute for Hanoi Construction Planning.

The master plan was designed within two years and it was considered by the Politburo, the National Assembly, the Government, the State Assessment Council and international consulter several times. 

 

According to the newly-ratified master plan for Hanoi, the capital city will have a metropolis, five satellite urban areas and several towns linked together. It will boast modern infrastructure while still retaining cultural and traditional heritages.   The metropolis will be broadened and by 2030, will have a constructed area of over 55,000 hectares and population of 4.6 million.   Headquarters of the Government, State, Communist Party, and National Assembly will be located in Ba Dinh District.   The five satellite urban areas - Hoa Lac, Son Tay, Xuan Mai, Phu Xuyen and Soc Son – will have certain autonomy with distinct features. For example, Hoa Lac in the west will be a science, technology and education center while Son Tay in the northwest will be a cultural, historical and tourist hub. Xuan Mai in the southwest is envisaged to become a handicraft and trade village while Phu Xuyen in the south will comprise industrial zones and cargo trans-shipment areas. Soc Son in the north will focus on airline, industry and services.   Universities will cluster in suburban areas and the number of students will reduce to about 300,000 within the city center. Health clinics for treatment of highly communicable diseases will be located in outlying areas.   Regional highway systems will be built connecting Hanoi to surrounding provinces.   Eight more bridges and tunnels will be built across the Red River (Song Hong) and five bridges will be constructed to span the Duong River and the Da River.

 

Future Hanoi through mock-up and drawings:

PV