VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi has approved a project to reduce the population of Hoan Kiem District’s Ancient Quarter to ease the strain on this area’s environment and infrastructure.

Of these, 780 families will be resettled in 2012 and the rest, one year later, at the Viet Hung New Urban Center in Long Bien District.

After the first phase, which will cost around VND4.3 trillion including VND4 trillion from the city’s budget, other phases will be launched thereafter.

Vu Van Hien, Chairman of Hoan Kiem’s People’s Committee, was quoted by VnExpress as saying the multiple-phased project will require about 40 hectares of land for the resettlement of more than 26,000 residents (approximately 6,550 households).

In a poll Hanoi has recently conducted about the resettlement, however, just 27 percent of the 950 families to be removed approved the plan.

Nguyen Van Khoi, Deputy Chairman of Hanoi’s People’s Committee said he had asked the municipal Department of Planning and Architecture to complete the resettlement plan of the Viet Hung New Urban Center by July 20 and the first phase of the project by August 15.

Khoi said responsible authorities should offer preferential policies to the evacuated households.

Hanoi’s Ancient Quarter covers 10 wards in Hoan Kiem District, occupying 81 ha.
The population density of the area is 840 people per ha.

By the time the project is completed, the population density will be reduced to 500 people per ha.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre