The HCMC government is working on a plan to make use of underground space across the city to make room for vehicles, services and commercial activities to ease chronic traffic congestion and meet the needs for fast urbanization.

An aerial view shows downtown HCMC has many high-rise buildings. The city will resort to underground space to cope with worsening traffic congestion

Competent agencies and experts in urban planning will need two years to complete a comprehensive plan which is an important part of adjustments to the HCMC general planning approved by the Prime Minister in 2010.

The general planning of HCMC passed in 2010 does not include two important contents, namely the use of underground space and climate change adaptation solutions.

Nguyen Thanh Nha, director of the municipal Department of Zoning and Architecture, said the general planning needs adjusting to solve problems such as traffic congestion, flooding, urban cramming and climate change.

Nha admitted previous urban development plans contained many flaws and the Government and the Ministry of Construction had directed the city to make use of underground space.

Underground space would help ease traffic jams as it can make room for underground traffic development projects and other services, Nha told the media last weekend when the department consulted scientists over the city’s general planning adjustments.

In fact, space under some high-rise buildings in the downtown area has been used for services and trade and entertainment activities. The city is also developing metro projects including many underground sections.

However, the use of underground space remains ineffective due to the lack of a comprehensive zoning plan.

In order to efficiently use underground space, many scientists said the city has to solve environmental problems such as pollution, land sinking, rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, resulting in more serious flooding and environmental pollution.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, if sea levels rise by one meter, some 17.8% of HCMC’s total area would be submerged.

Therefore, solutions to developing traffic infrastructure, revitalizing  the urban landscape and controlling privately-owned vehicles are crucial for the city with a population of some 13 million people.

SGT